Desorption of Potassium Atoms Stimulated by Electron Radiation of the K/KxAuy System

Abstract

The electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) of K atoms from the potassium layer on the KxAuy surface has been found. The KxAuy layer is formed at a tungsten substrate coated with a gold film with thickness no more five atomic layers. A quasi-resonant dependence of the K atom ESD yield on the energy of exciting electrons is observed. The quasi-resonant dependence is due to the excitation of Au 5p3/2 and 5p1/2 core levels. A model of K atom ESD in the K/KxAuy that adequately describes the processes occurring during ESD of K atoms is proposed. The processes of exciting K atom ESD are shown to take place in the K/KxAuy interface.