Ionization of Energetic Neutral Atoms on a Metallic Surface

Abstract

Experimental study is described of the ionization of energetic neutral atoms on an untreated, metallic surface. The energy loss associated with the ionization is found to depend strongly on the incident angle of the particles onto the surface. The efficiency of ionization is of the order of 10⁻⁶. Angular distribution of the ions leaving the surface is also measured.