Low energy ion-surface interactions

Abstract

In this paper we present measured energy and angular distributions for 10–100 eV Na+ scattering from Cu(001). Excellent agreement with the measured spectra is achieved with a simulation that uses a model potential for the ion-surface interaction. From these spectra we can extract information about the scattering dynamics, such as the scattering trajectories, energy transfer to the surface, and particle trapping. For energies below 50 eV we find that these quantities are particularly sensitive to the attractive well in the potential. We also present measurements that probe the charge transfer process (the exchange of electrons between the atom and surface) for 5–1600 eV alkali ion scattering from Cu. We briefly discuss the role that charge transfer plays in influencing the scattering dynamics.