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Ion desorption by core-hole Auger decay

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

We present evidence for a fundamentally new mechanism for impact-induced desorption, viz., core-hole Auger decay. We thereby explain why observed thresholds for electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) of positive ions (O/sup +/, OH/sup +/, and F/sup +/) from certain d-band metal oxides (TiO/sub 2/, V/sub 2/O/sub 5/, and WO/sub 3/) correlate in energy with the ionization potential of the highest-lying atomic core levels. We conclude that electron-stimulated desorption is in many interesting cases an atom-specific, valence-sensitive probe of surfaces.

Research Organization:
Sandia Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87185
OSTI ID:
7286705
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 40:14; ISSN PRLTA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English