Solid-atomic particle charge transfer effects in atomic-like Auger electron emission

Abstract

We report a direct observation of the solid-atomic particle charge transfer effects on atomic-like Auger electron emission from both projectile and target species during ion bombardment on solid surfaces. Upon chemisorption of reactive oxygen molecules or physisorption of inert argon atoms on a clean Al surface, the intensity ratio between the atomic-like Al autoionization and Auger transition peaks is dramatically reduced and four new transition lines can be clearly resolved. The Ar L-shell spectra also show a gradual increase of the L 23M 23−M 23 3 peak intensity relative to that of the L 23M 23M 23 feature as the Ar layer condensed on substrate thickens.