EMISSION OF LOW-ENERGY ELECTRONS FROM SLOW N6+ IONS INTERACTING WITH A AU SURFACE

Low-energy electrons emitted during the interaction of N6+ ions with a Au surface were measured. The projectile energy was varied in a wide range from 90 eV to 60 keV. A single-stage spectrometer was used to ac hieve reliable electron measurements at energies as low as a few eV. T he experimental data are compared with simulations based on the classi cal over-the-barrier model. For slow projectiles the observed low-ener gy electrons are attributed to autoionizing transitions in high Rydber g states of the projectile. The autoionization electrons provide a sig nature for the first deexcitation steps of hollow atoms formed above t he surface. [S1050-2947(97)03211-3].