Abstract
The patterns of angular intensity distribution in molecular scattering from ordered stepped surfaces are studied by the classical trajectory method. Using the stepped Cu(117) surface as a representative model, the following results are obtained: (i) There is a nonspecular intensity structure due to the steps corrugation. In the angular range where data exists, intensities and peak positions are in good accord with recent experiments. (ii) A structure that is a secondary rainbow pattern is found superimposed on the familiar surface rainbow. The effect is due to multiple scattering related to step geometry. It is predicted that the secondary rainbow effect will be very typical in high incidence-angle scattering from ordered stepped surfaces. (iii) A new surface-scattering resonance is predicted that is a consequence of the ordered steps structure. It is expected that these resonances (long-lived trajectories) can be the basis of a significant surface-trapping mechanism. Capture into such resonances (step-gliding resonances) is possible even at incidence energies that are very high compared with the well depth of the atom–surface potential. Finally, a method is given by which the step height and step size may be readily estimated from measured angular intensity distributions. Application of this estimate to simulated data from calculations give satisfactory results for the step parameters.
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