Electronic processes during impact of fast hydrogen atoms on a LiF( [formula omitted]) surface

Abstract

We present an analysis of data obtained in coincident studies on projectile energy loss and number distributions of emitted electrons for scattering of hydrogen atoms from an atomically clean and flat LiF(0 0 1) surface. The emission of electrons, production of surface excitons and formation of negative ions is explained by a model of electron capture by projectiles at fluorine lattice sites where the formation of negative hydrogen ions is the common precursor for the electronic processes of relevance here. We describe the interactions in terms of concepts for gas phase collisions and derive probabilities for the detachment of negative ions during the collision with the insulator surface.