Hyperthermal scattering of Cs+ from Pt(1 1 1): the effect of image charge on the ion–surface energy transfer

Abstract

We have studied the energy exchange between hyperthermal (5–100 eV) Cs+ projectiles and a Pt(111) surface by measuring the kinetic energy of the scattered ions. The scattering geometry was chosen to be in-plane with specular scattering angles, and the energy of the scattered ions was analyzed as functions of incidence energy and angle. For low incidence energy (<40 eV), the energy transfer to the Pt surface is substantially enhanced due to the attractive image charge force between Cs+ and the surface. The image charge effects are highlighted by the different energy transfer on Pt(111) and Si(111) surfaces. Analysis of the experimental results using two- and three-dimensional theoretical models revealed a well depth of 1 eV for the image charge potential. Hyperthermal Cs+ ions scatter from Pt(111) predominantly via double collisions with Pt atoms, though the scattering phenomena are insensitive to the impact site at the surface.