On the principle of reciprocity in inelastic electron scattering

Mendis, Budhika G.

Abstract

In electron microscopy the principle of reciprocity is often used to imply time reversal symmetry. While this is true for elastic scattering, its applicability to inelastic scattering is less well established. From the second law of thermodynamics, the entropy for a thermally isolated system must be constant for any reversible process. Using entropy and statistical fluctuation arguments, it is shown that, while reversibility is possible at the microscopic level, it becomes statistically less likely for higher energy transfers. The implications for reciprocal imaging modes, including energy loss and energy gain measurements, as well as Kainuma's reciprocal wave model are also discussed.

Citation

Mendis, B. G. (2024). On the principle of reciprocity in inelastic electron scattering. Acta Crystallographica Section A: Foundations and Advances, 80(6), 457-459. https://doi.org/10.1107/s2053273324009550

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 27, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Oct 21, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-11
• Deposit Date: Oct 31, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 31, 2024
• Journal: Acta Crystallographica Section A
• Print ISSN: 2053-2733
• Electronic ISSN: 2053-2733
• Publisher: International Union of Crystallography
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 80
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 457-459
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1107/s2053273324009550
• Keywords: principle of reciprocity, entropy, inelastic scattering
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2989531