Abstract
The field ion current is calculated for helium on tungsten, for various fields, and for various values of tip temperature and gas temperature on the basis of the balance equation developed by Van Eekelen. The expression of ion current by rate constants for ionization and for escape, the total supply and the capture probability is derived. The behaviour of ion current as a function of other parameters is discussed in the light of these equilibrium properties of the system. Field adsorption effects are also considered. The increase of the mass ratio of the gas atom to the metal atom causes the increase of ion current even if ionization probability is decreased by the field adsorption. Anomalous features of the field ion image at 4.2 K are discussed.
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