Electron Spectroscopy of Charge Exchange Effects in Low Energy Ion Scattering at Surfaces: Case Studies of Heavy Ions at Al Surface

Abstract

This work discusses studies of electron emissions during the interaction of low energy (in the keV energy range and below) singly charged ions with Aluminum surfaces. Analysis of the spectra provides insight into the electronic excitation processes and the dynamics of the interaction of the projectiles with the surface excitation. The work is primarily focused on the clarification of the role of electron promotion in charge exchange processes that occur during the cascade of atomic collisions. The work highlights the importance of the solid environment and of electron correlation in the understanding of charge exchange and energy deposition in ion-solids interactions.

Keywords

• surface scattering
• autoionization and auger processes
• ion beam analysis
• electron emission