Neutralization of low-energy Ne+ ions scattered from metal surfaces: study by mass-resolved ion-scattering spectrometry

An updated dual-isotope method by mass-resolved ion-scattering spectrometry using simultaneously two isotopes of Ne+ as primary-ion beam was developed for the study of neutralization phenomena occurring with low-energy (0.5–1.5 keV) ions scattered from the surface of noble/transition metals (Cu, Ag, Au and Pt). Data for the characteristic velocity νc were estimated, namely 2.05×105 m s−1 (Cu), 2.15×105 m s−1 (Ag), 1.90×105 m s−1 (Au) and 1.67×105 m s−1 (Pt), and no monotone dependence of the ion-survival probability P+ on the reciprocal velocity was evaluated. The empirical formula for P+(1ν), containing an additional term dependent on the reciprocal velocity, was suggested. The presented results have confirmed the anomalous dependence of P+(1ν) already observed in earlier low energy ion scattering studies.