On the controversy on the interpretation of atomic orientation in hydrogenic ions after ion beam surface interaction at grazing incidence

Abstract

The controversy with respect to the interpretation of orientation of orbital angular momenta in hydrogenic ions after the excitation of fast ions by a solid surface at grazing incidence is discussed. We present new experimental and theoretical results which clearly indicate that the polarization of electronic terms of hydrogenic ions after ion-surface interaction is modified by post collision interaction via the Stark effect.