DYNAMICS OF ADSORPTION-DESORPTION OF NE-CU (111) - STICKING

The sticking coefficient s of Ne on Cu at substrate temperatures T(s) between 5 and 30 K is computed, within the framework of the same theor etical model as already used for thermal desorption. At very low T(s), s is worked out taking advantage of the proportionality between stick ing and desorption rates when desorption is an infrequent event. In th is regime, s increases with T(s). At higher T(s) where desorption is n ot an infrequent event, master equations must be used, and there is no longer proportionality between sticking and desorption rates. In this regime, s decreases with increasing T(s). Calculations for two differ ent potentials fitted to the bound states show that sticking is a much more sensitive probe of the form of the gas-solid potential than ther mal desorption fluxes.