Multichannel neutralization and reionization in scattering of slow ions

A simple kinetic model is proposed for the multichannel neutralization of slow ions scattered on a metal surface. The “V” shape peculiarities observed recently in scattering of Ar +, He +, N 2 +, CO +, CO 2 + on Pt(100) are interpreted as classic threshold anomalies arising from crossing of the Fermi level by the ground electron levels of the particles. The model predicts two new types of peculiarities (“h” and “α” types) connected with the competition of multichannel neutralization, reionization and deexcitation. The possibility of spectroscopy of the surface collisional complexes (“spectroscopy of threshold anomalies”) is also pointed out in this report.