Emission of Na atoms from undamaged and slightly damaged NaCl (100) surfaces by electronic excitation

Abstract

We have carried out high-sensitivity measurements of the emission of Na atoms induced by irradiation with μs electron pulses of unirradiated NaCl (100) surfaces and with ns laser pulses of the NaCl (100) surfaces preirradiated with electrons. Similar to the results of ion bombardment, irradiation with an electron pulse is found to cause spontaneous emission of Na atoms with observable delays below 100 °C. It is found also that irradiation with a ns laser pulse of the preirradiated surface causes emission of Na atoms. The excitation spectrum for the laser-induced emission shows a peak near the F-band maximum. The yields of both the initial electron-pulse-induced emission and laser-induced emission on preirradiated surface are found to be reduced as the surface is damaged.