Auger-Type Electron Ejection from the (111) Face of Nickel by Slow He+, Ne+, and Ar+ Ions

Abstract

Experimental results concerning electron ejection from the atomically clean (111) face of nickel by singly charged ions of He, Ne, and Ar are reported. Total yield and kinetic-energy distribution of ejected electrons were measured as functions of ion energy in the range 4 to 100 eV. Revised experimental procedures have made it possible to extend the range of useful incident ion energies from the previous 10-eV lower limit down to 4 eV. Significant differences in the electron energy distributions are observed for ions whose energies differ by as little as 1 eV. The measured electron energy distributions were found to be markedly different from those observed for silicon and germanium as well as for tungsten and molybdenum. This is the result of differing state densities in the filled bands of these materials. The basic features of the results are only briefly discussed, since more extensive interpretive material will be subsequently reported. Data demonstrating the cleanness of the surface and the effects of adsorption of oxygen, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen are also presented.