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Title: Classical singularities in chaotic atom-surface scattering

Journal Article · · Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter
;  [1]; ;  [2];  [3]
  1. Instituto de Matematicas y Fisica Fundamental, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Serrano 123, 28006 Madrid (Spain)
  2. Departamento de Quimica, C-IX, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco-28049 Madrid (Spain)
  3. Deparment of Chemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506 (United States)

In this paper we show that the diffraction condition for the scattering of atoms from surfaces leads to the appearance of a distinct type of classical singularity. Moreover, it is also shown that the onset of classical trapping or classical chaos is closely related to the bifurcation set of the diffraction-order function around the surface points presenting the rainbow effect. As an illustration of this dynamic, application to the scattering of He atoms by the stepped Cu(115) surface is presented using both a hard corrugated one-dimensional wall and a soft corrugated Morse potential. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}

OSTI ID:
389300
Journal Information:
Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Vol. 54, Issue 15; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English