Electrodynamic response of carbon nanostructures in electron-energy-loss spectroscopy

A short review of electron-energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) experiments of carbon nanotubes and onions is presented. The dielectric response function of these nanostructures is derived from electrodynamics. Loss spectra computed with the dielectric theory are compared with spatially-resolved experimental spectra. The main features of the loss spectra obtained with non-penetrating electrons can be attributed to surface plasmon excitations (π plasmon at 6 eV and π + σ plasmon at 15 and 17-18 eV).