Time of flight spectra in thermal desorption of helium

Time of flight spectra are calculated within the cascade model of phonon-mediated desorption for helium desorbing from graphite, sapphire and Nichrome. One and three-dimensional theories are compared. Deviations from Knudsen's cosine law are traced to dynamical effects. The spectra are — as a function of time — narrower than a Maxwellian distribution and their maxima are generally shifted to shorter times indicating that the desorbed molecules are hotter than the solid temperature. Relevant experiments are discussed. Experimental geometries are analysed.