  Using a Green's function approach, we investigate band structure effects in
the BEEM current distribution in reciprocal space. In the elastic limit, this
formalism provides a 'parameter free' solution to the BEEM problem. At low
temperatures, and for thin metallic layers, the elastic approximation is enough
to explain the experimental I(V) curves at low voltages. At higher voltages
inelastic effects are approximately taken into account by introducing an
effective RPA-electron lifetime, much in similarity with LEED theory. For thick
films, however, additional damping mechanisms are required to obtain agreement
with experiment.
