Quasi first-principles Monte Carlo modeling of energy dissipation by low-energy electron beams in multi-walled carbon nanotube materials

The energy dissipation pattern of low-energy electron beams (0.3–30 keV) in multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) materials is studied by Monte Carlo simulation taking into account secondary-electron cascade generation. A quasi first-principles discrete-energy-loss model deduced from a dielectric response function description of electronic excitations in MWCNTs is employed whereby both single-particle and plasmon excitations are included in a unified and self-consistent manner. Our simulations provide practical analytical functions for computing depth-dose curves and charged-carrier generation volumes in MWCNT materials under low-energy electron beam irradiation.Financial support for D.E., I.K., and K.K. by the European Union FP7 ANTICARB (HEALTH-F2-2008-201587) and for R.G.M. and I.A. by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (project FIS2010-17225)