Interaction of Neutral Atoms with a Solid Surface

Abstract

The investigations described in earlier chapters showed that on bombarding targets with positive ions a considerable proportion of the primary particles were neutralized on colliding with the surface of the metal. The number of neutralized ions depended on the relation between the ionization energy of the bombarding particles and the work function of the metal. However, in setting up the balance of the particles (primary and secondary), the number of neutralized ions was not determined by direct measurement but by finding the difference between the primary and secondary ion currents. In addition to this, in order to set up the energy balance for the interaction of the particles with the solid surface, we must know the energy spectrum of the neutralized ions as well as their total number. In view of this, it is particularly interesting to study the various properties characterizing the emission of neutral particles on ion bombardment.