Desorption of metal atoms with laser light: Mechanistic studies.

Abstract

Results on laser-induced desorption of metal atoms from small metal particles are presented. Experiments have been performed on sodium, potassium, and silver particles supported on a LiF(100) single-crystal surface under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Measurements include the determination of the desorption rate as a function of laser wavelength, laser intensity, average particle size, and substrate temperature, the determination of the kinetic energy of the desorbed atoms, the investigation of the optical spectra of the supported metal particles, and the study of the influence of adsorbate molecules on the desorption rate. Furthermore, theoretical extinction and absorption spectra of the metal particles have been calculated with the classical electrodynamical Mie theory as a function of average particle size and excitation wavelength. Also, the radial electric field at the particle surface was computed. The results of the experiments and theoretical calculations are combined to give a consistent picture of the mechanism of metal-atom desorption by electronic excitation with laser light. A realistic surface potential from which the atoms escape and nonlocal optical effects are taken into account. The latter introduce additional absorption channels by the formation of electron-hole pairs in the surface layer of the particle which relax into antibonding states before desorption occurs. Finally, the mechanism is discussed in the light of similar phenomena observed for thin metal films. Possibilities for future work are outlined.