LOW-ENERGY IMPACT OF SILVER ATOMS ON PD(100) - COMPARISON BETWEEN HELIUM SCATTERING AND MICROSCOPIC SCALE SIMULATION RESULTS

Molecular dynamics simulations of the impact of Ag atoms at low energi es (20 eV and 95 eV in the direction perpendicular to the surface) on Pd(100) are performed using embedded atom (EAM) potentials. The result s are compared with recent helium scattering data relative to the impa ct of Ag-1(+) ions on a Pd(100) surface. Overall, the simulation resul ts are in favorable agreement with the experiments and allow the outco me of the collision to be described in terms of a defect population co nsisting of the impinging Ag atom, Pd adatoms and substrate vacancies. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.