INTERACTION OF HIGHLY-CHARGED IONS WITH SURFACES

An overview is given of recent advances in the theoretical description of the interaction of multiply charged ions with surfaces. Simulation s are presented displaying the formation of hollow atoms when slow hig hly charged ions approach the surface. It is shown that above-surface neutralisation proceeds via hollow-atom formation. Relaxation of the m ultiply excited states to the ground state occurs only subsequent to t he close encounter with the topmost atomic layer.