Lifetime of Li atoms adsorbed in a LiF surface

Interaction of adatoms with solid phonons and the lifetime of the atoms in a specific level in presence of such a process are investigated. Adatoms can desorb into continuum states, suffer a transition into a shallower state or decay to a deeper state. The corresponding transition rates are estimated, for a lithium atom adsorbed on LiF surface, using a model of a one phonon interaction. Transition rates into continuum or shallower levels depend on the surface temperature since the transition must be compatible with the phonons distribution. Transition rates for two substrate temperatures are calculated.