INTERACTION OF SLOW AR(17,18)-60 - AN INSIGHT INTO ION-SURFACE INTERACTIONS( IONS WITH C)

The interaction of Ar-(17,Ar-18+) ions with C-60 has been studied by o bserving coincidences between Ar K x rays and the fullerene ions and f ragments. At large distances the capture of electrons from C-60 into e xcited states of the ion has been observed and compared to the interac tion of the same ions with surfaces. Most of the observed events corre spond to the capture of many electrons by the ion and the loss of all but one. These results show clearly the characteristic behavior of ion s flying over a surface without any contact.