Abstract
The self-energy of the tunneling electron due to a foreign atom located in the gap between the surface and the tip of STM is estimated analytically. It is found that the tunnel potential barrier height is significantly reduced in the region directly above the atom. This effect would partly explain the reason why some adsorbed rare gas enhances the tunnel current strongly. A similar enhanced tunnel current would generally be expected when there are intervening molecules in the tunnel gap. An explanation of the bimodal behaviour of the metal/rate gas adsorption system, and direct experimental confirmation thereof through observations on the tunnel current is suggested.
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