Influence of the atomic polarization potential on the tunneling rates of electrons between atoms and surfaces

Abstract

The tunneling rate of electrons between a Li − ion and a surface is studied using the coupled angular mode method and the complex scaling method. The comparison of the two sets of results obtained with various representations of the e −Li interaction and their analysis shows that the e −Li polarization potential plays an important role in determining the tunneling rates. This effect is attributed to a lowering of the potential barrier between the atom and the surface.