Showing papers on "Free electron model published in 2011"

The Bonding Electron Density in Aluminum

Abstract: Aluminum is considered to approach an "ideal" metal or free electron gas. The valence electrons move freely, as if unaffected by the presence of the metal ions. Therefore, the electron redistribution due to chemical bonding is subtle and has proven extremely difficult to determine. Experimental measurements and ab initio calculations have yielded substantially different results. We applied quantitative convergent-beam electron diffraction to aluminum to provide an experimental determination of the bonding electron distribution. Calculation of the electron distribution based on density functional theory is shown to be in close agreement. Our results yield an accurate quantitative correlation between the anisotropic elastic properties of aluminum and the bonding electron and electrostatic potential distributions.

Enhancement of optical emission from laser-induced plasmas by combined spatial and magnetic confinement

Abstract: To enhance optical emission in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, both a pair of permanent magnets and an aluminum hemispherical cavity (diameter: 11.1 mm) were used simultaneously to magnetically and spatially confine plasmas produced by a KrF excimer laser in air from pure metal and alloyed samples. High enhancement factors of about 22 and 24 in the emission intensity of Co and Cr lines were acquired at a laser fluence of 6.2 J/cm2 using the combined confinement, while enhancement factors of only about 11 and 12 were obtained just with a cavity. The mechanism of enhanced optical emission by combined confinement, including shock wave in the presence of a magnetic field, is discussed. The Si plasmas, however, were not influenced by the presence of magnets as Si is hard to ablate and ionize and hence has less free electrons and positive ions. Images of the laser-induced Cr and Si plasmas show the difference between pure metallic and semiconductor materials in the presence of both a cavity and magnets.

Hund’s rule in superatoms with transition metal impurities

Abstract: The quantum states in metal clusters bunch into supershells with associated orbitals having shapes resembling those in atoms, giving rise to the concept that selected clusters could mimic the characteristics of atoms and be classified as superatoms. Unlike atoms, the superatom orbitals span over multiple atoms and the filling of orbitals does not usually exhibit Hund’s rule seen in atoms. Here, we demonstrate the possibility of enhancing exchange splitting in superatom shells via a composite cluster of a central transition metal and surrounding nearly free electron metal atoms. The transition metal d states hybridize with superatom D states and result in enhanced splitting between the majority and minority sets where the moment and the splitting can be controlled by the nature of the central atom. We demonstrate these findings through studies on TMMgn clusters where TM is a 3d atom. The clusters exhibit Hund’s filling, opening the pathway to superatoms with magnetic shells.

Atomic scale electron vortices for nanoresearch

Abstract: Electron vortex beams were only recently discovered and their potential as a probe for magnetism in materials was shown. Here we demonstrate a method to produce electron vortex beams with a diameter of less than 1.2 A. This unique way to prepare free electrons to a state resembling atomic orbitals is fascinating from a fundamental physics point of view and opens the road for magnetic mapping with atomic resolution in an electron microscope.

Comment on "Does the hydrated electron occupy a cavity?".

Abstract: Larsen et al. (Reports, 2 July 2010, p. 65) challenged the long-standing model of the solvent geometry surrounding a free electron in water using molecular dynamics simulations based on a newly derived electron-water pseudopotential. We illustrate that, in contrast to the model they used, the true electron-water interaction is repulsive in the region relevant to the reported extended electron distribution, consistent with the cavity model.

Ionization–diffusion plasma front propagation in a microwave field

Abstract: A 1D model of the expansion of a collisional plasma under the combined effect of diffusion and ionization is presented. It is shown that a simple quasi-neutral model of the plasma using an effective diffusion coefficient can accurately describe the plasma front propagation. The effective diffusion coefficient describes the transition from free electron diffusion in the plasma front to ambipolar diffusion in the bulk. Comparisons with 'exact' solutions from a drift-diffusion–Poisson model show excellent agreement not only in the simple case of a constant ionization frequency, but also when the plasma front propagation is due to microwave breakdown. In the latter case the plasma model is solved together with Maxwell's equations and the ionization frequency in the front is modulated in time due to the formation of standing waves in the plasma front region, leading to the formation of plasma patterns. The effect of electron–ion recombination on the observed plasma pattern is discussed.

Coherent strong-field control of multiple states by a single chirped femtosecond laser pulse

Abstract: We present a joint experimental and theoretical study on strong-field photo-ionization of sodium atoms using chirped femtosecond laser pulses. By tuning the chirp parameter, selectivity among the population in the highly excited states 5p, 6p, 7p and 5f, 6f is achieved. Different excitation pathways enabling control are identified by simultaneous ionization and measurement of photoelectron angular distributions employing the velocity map imaging technique. Free electron wave packets at an energy of around 1 eV are observed. These photoelectrons originate from two channels. The predominant 2+1+1 Resonance Enhanced Multi-Photon Ionization (REMPI) proceeds via the strongly driven two-photon transition $4s\leftarrow\leftarrow3s$, and subsequent ionization from the states 5p, 6p and 7p whereas the second pathway involves 3+1 REMPI via the states 5f and 6f. In addition, electron wave packets from two-photon ionization of the non-resonant transiently populated state 3p are observed close to the ionization threshold. A mainly qualitative five-state model for the predominant excitation channel is studied theoretically to provide insights into the physical mechanisms at play. Our analysis shows that by tuning the chirp parameter the dynamics is effectively controlled by dynamic Stark-shifts and level crossings. In particular, we show that under the experimental conditions the passage through an uncommon three-state "bow-tie" level crossing allows the preparation of coherent superposition states.

Electronic excitations of slow ions in a free electron gas metal: evidence for charge exchange effects.

Abstract: Electronic energy loss of light ions transmitted through nanometer films of Al has been studied at very low ion velocities. For hydrogen, the electronic stopping power S is found to be perfectly proportional to velocity, as expected for a free electron gas. For He, the same is anticipated, but S shows a transition between two distinct regimes, in both of which S is velocity proportional-however, with remarkably different slopes. This finding can be explained as a consequence of charge exchange in close encounters between He and Al atoms, which represents an additional energy loss channel.

A photo-induced electron transfer study of an organic dye anchored on the surfaces of TiO2 nanotubes and nanoparticles

Abstract: We report on femtosecond–nanosecond (fs–ns) studies of the triphenylamine organic dye (TPC1) interacting with titania nanoparticles of different sizes, nanotubes and nanorods. We used time-resolved emission and absorption spectroscopy to measure the photoinduced dynamics of forward and back electron transfer processes taking place in TPC1–titania complexes in acetonitrile (ACN) and dichloromethane (DCM) solutions. We observed that the electron injection from the dye to titania occurs in a multi-exponential way with the main contribution of 100 fs from the hot excited charge-transfer state of anchored TPC1. This process competes with the relaxation of the excited state, mainly governed by solvation, that takes place with average time constants of 400 fs in ACN and 1.3 ps in DCM solutions. A minor contribution to the electron injection process takes place with longer time constants of about 1–10 ps from the relaxed excited state of TPC1. The latter times and their contribution do not depend on the size of the nanoparticles, but are substantially smaller in the case of nanotubes (1–3 ps), probably due to the caging effect. The contribution is also smaller in DCM than in ACN. The efficient back recombination takes place also in a multi-exponential way with times of 1 ps, 15 ps and 1 ns, and only 20–30% of the initial injected electrons in the conduction band are left within the first 1 ns after excitation. The faster recombination rates are suggested due to those originating from the free electrons in the conduction band of titania or the electrons in the shallow trap states, while the slower recombination is due to the electrons in the deep trap states. The results reported here should be relevant to a better understanding of the photobehaviour of an organic dye with promising potential for use in solar cells. They should also help to determine the important factors that limit the efficiency of solar cells based on the triphenylamine-based dyes for solar energy conversion.

Investigation of the delay time distribution of high power microwave surface flashover

Abstract: Characterizing and modeling the statistics associated with the initiation of gas breakdown has proven to be difficult due to a variety of rather unexplored phenomena involved. Experimental conditions for high power microwave window breakdown for pressures on the order of 100 to several 100 torr are complex: there are little to no naturally occurring free electrons in the breakdown region. The initial electron generation rate, from an external source, for example, is time dependent and so is the charge carrier amplification in the increasing radio frequency (RF) field amplitude with a rise time of 50 ns, which can be on the same order as the breakdown delay time. The probability of reaching a critical electron density within a given time period is composed of the statistical waiting time for the appearance of initiating electrons in the high-field region and the build-up of an avalanche with an inherent statistical distribution of the electron number. High power microwave breakdown and its delay time is of...

Time-resolved resonant soft x-ray diffraction with free-electron lasers: Femtosecond dynamics across the Verwey transition in magnetite

Abstract: Resonant soft x-ray diffraction (RSXD) with femtosecond (fs) time resolution is a powerful tool for disentangling the interplay between different degrees of freedom in strongly correlated electron materials. It allows addressing the coupling of particular degrees of freedom upon an external selective perturbation, e.g., by an optical or infrared laser pulse. Here, we report a time-resolved RSXD experiment from the prototypical correlated electron material magnetite using soft x-ray pulses from the free-electron laser FLASH in Hamburg. We observe ultrafast melting of the charge-orbital order leading to the formation of a transient phase, which has not been observed in equilibrium.

Determination of hole effective mass in SiO2 and SiC conduction band offset using Fowler–Nordheim tunneling characteristics across metal-oxide-semiconductor structures after applying oxide field corrections

Abstract: Fowler–Nordheim electron and hole tunneling characteristics across 4H-SiC MOS diodes are studied. Their slope constants are used to determine the hole effective mass in the thermal SiO2 and the 4H-SiC conduction band offset. The hole effective mass in the SiO2 is found to be 0.58 m, where m is the free electron mass. The 4H-SiC conduction band offset is found to be 2.78 eV. The average oxide fields used in the carrier tunneling characteristics are formulated. It is found that anode and cathode field corrections by the flatband voltage are critical in the evaluation of the above tunneling parameters.

What causes scatter-free transport of non-relativistic solar electrons?

Abstract: We have examined the cause of the scatter-free transport of non-relativistic solar electrons. Electron scatter-free transport events are compared with the diffusive transport event. The emphasis of our examination is on the energy dependence of electron angular distributions and the steepening of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) power spectral densities (PSDs). Near and above the proton gyrofrequency, the effects of both R-mode (whistler) and L-mode (electromagnetic ion cyclotron, EMIC) waves need to be taken into account separately. The PSD spectral steepening due to the EMIC wave damping by solar-wind thermal ions becomes essential. In a fast-rise-fast-decay impulsive electron event we have observed such steepening, which significantly reduces PSD levels at frequencies above the proton gyrofrequency. The spectral steepening thus produced favors the occurrence of scatter-free transport of low-energy electrons. Consequently, within the Wind/3D Plasma and Energetic Particle Instrument/Silicon Semiconductor Telescope measured energy range (~25-500 keV), there appears to be an electron energy window, across which the scatter-free transport of lower energy electrons would change to the diffusive transport of higher energy electrons. We have observed such a change and found it is correlated with the occurrence of broken power-law spectra of electrons. Thus the connection between the transition from diffusive to scatter-free electron transport and the concurrent transition from high to low IMF PSD levels with corresponding breaks in the electron power-law energy spectrum and PSD spectrum has been recognized.

A global model for the afterglow of pure argon and of argon with negatively charged dust particles

Abstract: Zero-dimensional, space-averaged global models of argon dust-free and dusty afterglow plasmas are developed, which describe the time behaviour of electron ne(t) and Ar ∗ metastable nm(t) densities. The theoretical description is based on the assumption that the free electron density is smaller than the dust charge density. In pure argon, fairly good agreement with the experimentally measured densities and their decay times in the afterglow is obtained when the electron energy loss term to the chamber walls is included in the electron energy balance equation. In dusty plasma afterglow, the agreement between theory and experiment is less satisfactory. The calculated metastable density is 3 times smaller than the measured one and the electron decay is much faster in the late afterglows. The difference should probably arise from the assumption that the electron energy distribution function is Maxwellian. Different sources of secondary electrons in the dusty plasma afterglow are analysed. Comparison of the model with experimental results of argon dusty plasma suggests that the metastable pooling could be the source of the experimentally observed electron density increase in the early afterglow but electron generation from metastable–dust interactions cannot be fully discarded. (Some figures in this article are in colour only in the electronic version)

Electronic correlations in iron-pnictide superconductors and beyond: lessons learned from optics

Abstract: The Coulomb repulsion, impeding electrons' motion, has an important impact on the charge dynamics. It mainly causes a reduction in the effective metallic Drude weight (proportional to the so-called optical kinetic energy), encountered in the optical conductivity, with respect to the expectation within the nearly free electron limit (defining the so-called band kinetic energy), as evinced from band-structure calculations. In principle, the ratio between the optical and band kinetic energies allows one to define the degree of electronic correlations. Through spectral weight arguments on the excitation spectrum, we provide an experimental tool, free from any theoretical- or band-structure- based assumptions, to estimate the degree of electronic correlations in several systems. We first address the novel iron-pnictide superconductors, which serve to set the stage for our approach. We then revisit a large variety of materials, ranging from superconductors, to Kondo-like systems as well as materials close to the Mott-insulating state. For comparison, we also tackle materials where the electron-phonon coupling dominates. We establish a direct relationship between the strength of interaction and the resulting reduction in optical kinetic energy of the itinerant charge carriers.

Unconventional Approach to Orbital-Free Density Functional Theory Derived from a Model of Extended Electrons

Abstract: An equation proposed by Levy, Perdew and Sahni (Phys. Rev. A 30:2745, 1984) is an orbital-free formulation of density functional theory. However, this equation describes a bosonic system. Here, we analyze on a very fundamental level, how this equation could be extended to yield a formulation for a general fermionic distribution of charge and spin. This analysis starts at the level of single electrons and with the question, how spin actually comes into a charge distribution in a non-relativistic model. To this end we present a space-time model of extended electrons, which is formulated in terms of geometric algebra. Wave properties of the electron are referred to mass density oscillations. We provide a comprehensive and non-statistical interpretation of wavefunctions, referring them to mass density components and internal field components. It is shown that these wavefunctions comply with the Schrodinger equation, for the free electron as well as for the electron in electrostatic and vector potentials. Spin-properties of the electron are referred to intrinsic field components and it is established that a measurement of spin in an external field yields exactly two possible results. However, it is also established that the spin of free electrons is isotropic, and that spin-dynamics of single electrons can be described by a modified Landau-Lifshitz equation. The model agrees with the results of standard theory concerning the hydrogen atom. Finally, we analyze many-electron systems and derive a set of coupled equations suitable to characterize the system without any reference to single electron states. The model is expected to have the greatest impact in condensed matter theory, where it allows to describe an N-electron system by a many-electron wavefunction Ψ of four, instead of 3N variables. The many-body aspect of a system is in this case encoded in a bivector potential.

Nonlinear polarization response of an atomic gas medium in the field of a high-intensity femtosecond laser pulse

Abstract: Polarization response that appears in silver vapors in the field of a high-intensity femtosecond Ti:sapphire laser has been studied by the direct numerical integration of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation. The regions of applicability have been determined for perturbation theory and the power series expansion of the polarization in the field. The contribution of free electrons to the response at the frequency of the interacting field has been calculated, which is due to the photoionization process and limits the Kerr effect. An important contribution of laser-excited atomic states to nonlinear atomic responses of neutral atoms has been demonstrated.

Protons and ion acceleration from thick targets at 1010 W/cm2 laser pulse intensity

Abstract: Proton ion acceleration via laser-generated plasma is investigated at relatively low laser pulse intensity, on the order of 1010 W/cm2. Time-of-flight technique is employed to measure the ion energy and the relative yield. An ion collector and an ion energy analyzer are used with this aim and to distinguish the number of charge states of the produced ions. The kinetic energy and the emission yield are measured through a consolidated theory, which assumes that the ion emission follows the Coulomb-Boltzmann-Shifted function. The proton stream is generated by thin and thick hydrogenated targets and it is dependent on the free electron states, which increase the laser absorption coefficient and the ion acceleration. The maximum proton energy, of about 200 eV, and the maximum proton amount can be obtained with thick metallic hydrogenated materials, such as the titanium hydrate TiH2.

Range, resolution and power of THz systems for remote detection of concealed radioactive materials

Abstract: This paper analyzes parameters required for realizing remote detection of a concealed source of ionizing radiation by observing the occurrence of breakdown in air by a focused wave beam. Production of free electrons and the free electron density in the absence/presence of additional sources of ionization are analyzed. The maximum electron density in the discharge and the time required for this density to return after the discharge back to its stationary level, are estimated. The optimal excess of the power density and the corresponding power level as the function of frequency are determined. It is shown that the optimal frequency of such systems ranges from 0.3 up to 0.8 THz. The paper also determines the range of such systems as the function of the source frequency and power and contains a brief analysis of available sources of microwave, millimeter-wave and THz radiation.

On the formation and decay of a molecular ultracold plasma

Abstract: Double-resonant photoexcitation of nitric oxide in a molecular beam creates a dense ensemble of 50f(2) Rydberg states, which evolves to form a plasma of free electrons trapped in the potential well of an NO+ space charge. The plasma travels at the velocity of the molecular beam and, on passing through a grounded grid, yields an electron time-of-flight signal that gauges the plasma size and quantity of trapped electrons. This plasma expands at a rate that fits with an electron temperature as low as 5 K, colder than typically observed for atomic ultracold plasmas. The recombination of molecular NO+ cations with electrons forms neutral molecules excited by more than twice the energy of the NO chemical bond, and the question arises whether neutral fragmentation plays a role in shaping the redistribution of energy and particle density that directs the short-time evolution from Rydberg gas to plasma. To explore this question, we adapt a coupled rate-equations model established for atomic ultracold plasmas to describe the energy-grained avalanche of electron–Rydberg and electron–ion collisions in our system. Adding channels of Rydberg predissociation and two-body, electron–cation dissociative recombination to the atomic formalism, we investigate the kinetics by which this relaxation distributes particle density and energy over Rydberg states, free electrons and neutral fragments. The results of this investigation point to conditions under which such processes can effect the steady-state temperature of plasma electrons.

High average current electron guns for high-power free electron lasers

Abstract: High average power free-electron lasers (FELs) require high average current electron injectors capable of generating high quality, short duration electron bunches with a repetition rate equal to the frequency of the rf linac. In this paper we propose, analyze, and simulate an rf-gated, gridded thermionic electron gun for use in high average power FELs. Thermionic cathodes can provide the necessary high current, have long lifetimes, and require modest vacuums. In the proposed configuration the rf-gated grid is modulated at the fundamental and 3rd harmonic of the linac frequency. The addition of the 3rd harmonic on the grid results in shorter electron bunches. In this configuration, every rf bucket of the linac accelerating field contains an electron bunch. Particle-in-cell simulations indicate that this approach can provide the necessary charge per bunch, bunch duration, longitudinal and transverse emittance, and repetition rate for high average power FELs operating in the IR regime.

Electron and hole stability in GaN and ZnO.

Abstract: We assess the thermodynamic doping limits of GaN and ZnO on the basis of point defect calculations performed using the embedded cluster approach and employing a hybrid non-local density functional for the quantum mechanical region. Within this approach we have calculated a staggered (type-II) valence band alignment between the two materials, with the N 2p states contributing to the lower ionization potential of GaN. With respect to the stability of free electron and hole carriers, redox reactions resulting in charge compensation by ionic defects are found to be largely endothermic (unfavourable) for electrons and exothermic (favourable) for holes, which is consistent with the efficacy of electron conduction in these materials. Approaches for overcoming these fundamental thermodynamic limits are discussed.

On the formation and decay of a molecular ultracold plasma

Abstract: Double-resonant photoexcitation of nitric oxide in a molecular beam creates a dense ensemble of $50f(2)$ Rydberg states, which evolves to form a plasma of free electrons trapped in the potential well of an NO$^+$ spacecharge. The plasma travels at the velocity of the molecular beam, and, on passing through a grounded grid, yields an electron time-of-flight signal that gauges the plasma size and quantity of trapped electrons. This plasma expands at a rate that fits with an electron temperature as low as 5 K, colder that typically observed for atomic ultracold plasmas. The recombination of molecular NO$^+$ cations with electrons forms neutral molecules excited by more than twice the energy of the NO chemical bond, and the question arises whether neutral fragmentation plays a role in shaping the redistribution of energy and particle density that directs the short-time evolution from Rydberg gas to plasma. To explore this question, we adapt a coupled rate-equations model established for atomic ultracold plasmas to describe the energy-grained avalanche of electron-Rydberg and electron-ion collisions in our system. Adding channels of Rydberg predissociation and two-body, electron- cation dissociative recombination to the atomic formalism, we investigate the kinetics by which this relaxation distributes particle density and energy over Rydberg states, free electrons and neutral fragments. The results of this investigation suggest some mechanisms by which molecular fragmentation channels can affect the state of the plasma.

Plasmons in sodium under pressure: increasing departure from nearly free-electron behavior.

Abstract: We have measured plasmon energies in Na under high pressure up to 43 GPa using inelastic x-ray scattering (IXS). The momentum-resolved results show clear deviations, growing with increasing pressure, from the predictions for a nearly free-electron metal. Plasmon energy calculations based on first-principles electronic band structures and a quasiclassical plasmon model allow us to identify a pressure-induced increase in the electron-ion interaction and associated changes in the electronic band structure as the origin of these deviations, rather than effects of exchange and correlation. Additional IXS results obtained for K and Rb are addressed briefly.

Plasmonic excitations in ZnO/Ag/ZnO multilayer systems: Insight into interface and bulk electronic properties

Abstract: Electron energy-loss spectroscopy experiments in transmission were carried out on silver-based multi-layer systems, consisting of a silver layer of various thicknesses (8, 10 and 50 nm) sandwiched between two Al-doped ZnO layers. The films were produced by magnetron sputtering using potassium bromide single crystals as substrates. The electronic structure of these systems was probed and analyzed with respect to their plasmonic excitations, which can be basically split up into excitations of the electrons in the bulk silver and excitations at the ZnO:Al/Ag interface. A detailed examination of the momentum dependence of the plasmon peaks revealed a positive dispersion for both, the volume and the interface plasmon, where only for the first one a quadratic behavior (as expected for a free electron gas) could be observed. Furthermore, the peak width was analyzed and set into relation to electrical conductivity measurements by calculating the plasmon lifetime and the electron scattering rate. Here, a good agreement between these different methods was obtained.

Pauli Spin Paramagnetism and Electronic Specific Heat in Generalised d-Dimensions

Abstract: The variations of pauli spin paramagnetic susceptibility and the electronic specific heat of solids, are calculated as functions of temperature following the free electron approximation, in generalised d-dimensions. The results are compared and become consistent with that obtained in three dimensions. Interestingly, the Pauli spin paramagnetic susceptibility becomes independent of temperature only in two dimensions.

Femtosecond crystallographic experiment in wide-bandgap LiF crystal.

Abstract: We report a femtosecond crystallographic study of the dependence of the free-carries generation to the alignment of a crystalline sample to the laser polarization. The probe pulse transmission exhibits a π/2 modulation that is shown to be correlated with the direction dependence of the effective electron mass. This observation suggests that nonlinear ionization is the first channel for free electron generation during the laser pulse. Moreover, the temporal evolution of the probe pulse transmission indicates the dominance of the avalanche ionization and that nonlinear ionization provides the initial seed electrons for avalanche.”

Atomic plasma excitations in the field of a soft x-ray laser

Abstract: The interaction of atoms with short-wavelength radiation at ultra-high intensities is described by plasma excitation. In contrast to former works on optical radiation and ponderomotive motion of quasi-free electrons, the excitation of correlated and bound electrons is considered here. The ponderomotive motion of a free electron is included as a special case. Values for the energy transfer from the radiation field to an atom are obtained in fair agreement with the unexpectedly high charge states of xenon recently observed at the soft x-ray free-electron laser FLASH.

Electro-optical effects in 2D macroporous silicon structures with nanocoatings

Abstract: The near-IR light absorption oscillations in 2D macroporous silicon structures with microporous silicon layers, CdTe surface nanocrystals and SiO 2 nanocoatings are investigated. The electro-optical effect was taken into account within the strong electric field approximation. Well-separated oscillations with giant amplitude were observed in the spectral ranges of surface level absorption. This process is because of resonance electron scattering on the surface impurity states with the difference between two resonance energies equal to the Wannier-Stark ladder due to big scattering lifetime as compared to the electron oscillation period in an electric field. The electron transitions and free electron motion are realized due to additional change of local electric field as a result of grazing light incidence and quasi-guided mode formation.

Quantitative model for the change of optical resonance in neural activity detection systems based on surface plasmon resonance

Abstract: The mechanism of neural activity detection using the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) phenomenon was theoretically explored in this paper. Investigating the mechanism of SPR neural recordings has been difficult due to the complex relationship between different physiological and physical processes such as excitation of a nerve fiber and coherent charge fluctuations on the metal surface. This paper examines how these different processes may be connected by introducing a set of compartmental theoretical models that deal with the molecular scale phenomena; Poisson–Boltzmann (PB) equation, which was used to describe the ion concentration change under the time varying electrostatic potential, Drude–Lorentz electron model, which was used to describe electron dynamics under the time varying external forces, and a Fresnel's three-layered model, which expresses the reflectivity of the SPR system in terms of the dielectric constants. Each physical theoretical model was numerically analyzed using the finite element method (FEM) formulated for the PB equation and the Green's method formulated for the Drude–Lorentz electron equation. The model predicts that the ionic thermal force originating from the opening of the K+ ion channel is fundamental for modifying the dipole moment of the gold's free electron; thus, the reflectivity is changed in the SPR system. The discussion was done also on important attributes of the SPR signal such as biphasic fluctuation and the electrical noise-free characteristics.