Defect formation and sputtering of alkali halides with low energy irradiation

Abstract

Abstract Low energy electron or photon irradiation of alkali halides produces energetic sputtering of surface atoms. Measurements of both the angular ejection pattern and the sputtering efficiencies are reported. The low threshold energy required for sputtering, the 〈110〉 nature of the halogen ejection and the dependence on the total rate with both alkali metal and halogen ion dimensions are all consistent with the model of defect formation proposed by Pooley and by Hersh.