Transport of fast electrons near surfaces

Abstract

We have developed a microscopic model to study emission of fast electrons is glancing-angle ion-surface collisions using a classical trajectory Monte Carlo approach. Our model accounts for dynamic image interactions and multiple scattering near the surface. We show that a sizeable fraction of the convoy peak is produced by ionization of electrons transiently bound to the impinging ion. Properties of the collision kernels near the surface are discussed. Good agreement is found with our recent coincidence experiments for 0.2–0.5 MeV/u Li ions interacting with SnTe(001) surfaces.