Energy and charge distributions of fast hydrogen ions and atoms reflected from Cu in the case of grazing incidence

The energy and charge distributions of protons and hydrogen atoms reflected from the Cu surface in the case of grazing incidence angles are measured at energies of incident particles (H⁺ and H⁰) of 200 and 250 keV. The charged fractions of reflected particles are analyzed. A weak dependence of the neutral fraction of reflected particles on the scattering angle is discovered for incidence angles of 1°–2° and an energy of scattered particles of 60 keV or less. It is shown that the neutral fraction of reflected particles with an energy of 60–80 keV or more is independent of the scattering angle and is determined by the ratio of the cross sections for the electron capture and loss by ions in the material.     

Electronic excitations during grazing scattering of hydrogen atoms on KI(001) and LiF(001) surfaces

The energy loss of hydrogen atoms with energies of 400 eV and 1 keV is studied in coincidence with the number of emitted electrons during grazing scattering from atomically clean and flat KI(001) and LiF(001) surfaces. The energy loss spectra for specific numbers of emitted electrons are analyzed in terms of a binary interaction model based on the formation of transient negative ions via local capture of valence band electrons from anion sites. Based on computer simulations we derive for this interaction scenario probabilities for the production of surface excitons, for electron loss to the conduction band of KI, for emission of electrons, and for formation of negative hydrogen ions. The pronounced differences of data obtained for the two surfaces are attributed to the different electronic structures of KI and LiF.     

Scattering of F atoms and anions on a TiO2(1 1 0) surface

Results of a study of energy losses and electron transfer processes for grazing scattering of fluorine atoms and anions scattering along different azimuthal orientations of the TiO₂ crystal are presented. We observe strong variations in the overall intensity of scattered particles which are due to channelling effects. The energy losses do not show strong variations as a function of crystal azimuth except for the case of scattering along the (0 0 1) direction between the bridging oxygen atom rows, where we also observe differences in the energy losses of scattered ions and neutrals. We attribute this to the fact that larger F⁻ survival occurs for trajectories staying farther from the surface, when also the energy losses remain small. The overall characteristics of energy losses are attributed mainly to trajectory effects due to scattering in regions of different electron density. Measurements of the ratio of scattered ions to the total scattered flux, i.e. the ion fractions which reflect electron capture and loss processes, show that these are not the same for incident anions and atoms. A strong difference for scattering along the (0 0 1) direction is observed, where at low incident energies a strong survival of incident ions occurs. These results are tentatively discussed in terms of non resonant electron capture at lattice O⁻ sites and electron loss into the conduction band or by collisional detachment with bridging O atoms.     

Cross sections of electron capture and electron capture ionization versus the impact parameter in collisions of a proton with multielectron atoms

The absolute differential cross sections of scattering of hydrogen atoms resulting from an electron capture and an electron capture ionization are measured for collisions of 4.5- and 11-keV protons with argon and xenon atoms. The range of scattering angles is 0°–2°. From the scattering differential cross section found experimentally, the probabilities of single-electron capture and electron capture ionization as a function of the impact parameter are calculated. The dependences of the incident particle scattering angle on the impact parameter (deviation function) for interactions with Ar and Xe atoms are calculated in terms of classical mechanics using the Moliére—Yukawa potential to describe the interaction of atomic particles. Analysis is given to the probabilities of electron capture and electron capture ionization versus the impact parameter and to the distribution of the electron density on different electron shells in a target atom versus a distance to the core. It is concluded that only electrons from the outer shell of the target atom are involved in the process of electron capture ionization. The cross section of electron capture ionization is calculated in the proton energy range 5–20 keV.     

Quantum-mechanical interference in charge exchange between hydrogen and graphene-like surfaces

The neutral to negative charge fluctuation of a hydrogen atom in front of a graphene surface is calculated by using the Anderson model within an infinite intra atomic Coulomb repulsion approximation. We perform an ab initio calculation of the Anderson hybridization function that allows investigation of the effect of quantum-mechanical interference related to the Berry phase inherent to the graphene band structure. We find that consideration of the interaction of hydrogen on top of many C atoms leads to a marked asymmetry of the imaginary part of the hybridization function with respect to the Fermi level. Consequently, Fano factors larger than one and strongly dependent on the energy around the Fermi level are predicted. Moreover, the suppression of the hybridization for energies above the Fermi level can explain the unexpected large negative ion formation measured in the scattering of protons by graphite-like surfaces.     

Vibrations of hydrogen atoms in amorphous PrNi2H3.6

The atomic dynamics of hydration-amorphized PrNi₂H_3.6 are investigated by the incoherent inelastic scattering of neutrons, and the spectrum of vibrations of hydrogen atoms is reconstructed. It is shown that the spectral distribution of thermal excitations can be conceived as consisting of two bands, whose average energies coincide with the vibrational energies of the hydrogen atoms in the binary hydrides NiH and PrH_x. The final results agree with a previously proposed structural model of hydrogen amorphization. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 735–737 (April 1998)     

On the theory of electron capture and loss in collisions of accelerated ions

Based on the stationary multichannel scattering theory, the processes of one-electron charge exchange in collisions of multiply charged ions have been considered for the range of high energies of the colliding particles in view of the Coulomb interaction of the nuclei. Numerical calculations have been performed to find the cross-section for electron capture in scattering of high-energy hydrogen-like ions in atomic hydrogen. It has been shown that the Coulomb interaction of nuclei substantially increases the capture cross-section compared to the result predicted by the Brinkmann-Kramers approximation. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 3, pp. 77–81, March, 2008.     

Atomic processes in antiproton-matter interactions

Atomic processes dominate antiproton stopping in matter at nearly all energies of interest. They significantly influence or determine the antiproton annihilation rate at all energies around or below several MeV. This article discusses what is known about the atomic processes which, through their effect on stopping and annihilation, significantly influence the spatial distribution of antiproton annihilations in a material. For stopping above about 10 eV the processes are antiproton-electron collisions, effective at medium keV through high MeV energies, and elastic collisions with atoms and adiabatic ionization of atoms, effective from medium eV through low keV energies. For annihilation above about 10 eV it is the enhancement of the antiproton annihilation rate due to the antiproton-nucleus Coulomb attraction, effective around and below a few tens of MeV. At about 10 eV and below, the atomic rearrangement/annihilation process determines both the stopping and annihilation rates. Although a fair amount of theoretical and some experimental work relevant to these processes exist, there are a number of energy ranges and material types for which experimental data does not exist and for which the theoretical information is not as well grounded or as accurate as desired. Additional experimental and theoretical work is required for accurate prediction of antiproton stopping and annihilation for energies and materials relevant to antiproton experimentation and application.     

Coherence during scattering of fast H atoms from a LiF(001) surface

The coherence for diffraction effects during grazing scattering of fast hydrogen and helium atoms from a LiF(001) surface with energies up to some keV is investigated via the coincident detection of two-dimensional angular distributions for scattered projectiles with their energy loss. For keV H atoms, we identify electronic excitations of the target surface as the dominant mechanism for decoherence, whereas for He atoms this contribution is small. The suppression of electronic excitations owing to the band gap of insulators plays an essential role for preserving quantum coherence and thus for the application of fast atom diffraction as a surface analytical tool.     

New effects in low energy scattering of pµ atoms

Strong solid state effects in low energy scattering of pμ atoms in solid hydrogen are reported and analyzed. Such effects have been observed in TRIUMF experiment E742 where muons are stopped in thin frozen (3 K) layers of hydrogen. Emission of low energy pμ atoms from the hydrogen layer into adjacent vacuum was much higher than expected, based on calculations which ignored the solid nature of hydrogen. Monte Carlo simulations, performed using the scattering cross-sections with solid state effects taken into account, show the important role of the coherent elastic Bragg scattering in the diffusion of pμ atoms. For pμ energies lower than the Bragg cut-off limit (∼2 meV) the total scattering cross-section falls by several orders of magnitude, the hydrogen target becomes transparent and the emission of cold pμ atoms takes place. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cascade Processes in Muonic Hydrogen Atoms

The QCMC scheme created earlier for cascade calculations in heavy hadronic atoms of hydrogen isotopes has been modified and applied to the study of cascade processes in the μp muonic hydrogen atoms. The distribution of μp atoms over kinetic energies has been obtained and the yields of K-series X-rays per one stopped muon have been calculated. Comparison with experimental data indicated directly that for muonic and pionic atoms new types of non-radiative transitions are essential, while they are negligible for heavy (kaonic, antiprotonic, etc.) atoms. These processes have been considered and their probabilities have been estimated. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Symmetric scattering ine ±-H ionization collisions

Triple differential cross-sections for ionization of hydrogen atoms by electrons and positrons have been calculated for symmetric coplanar geometry following a multiple scattering method suggested and used earlier by the authors. Results show single binary peaks exactly at 45° and double binary peaks exactly at 135° for higher energies as are expected from an analysis of Briggs [3]. At lower energies there are certain deviations from these values. An analysis of scattering mechanism at peaks are also given. This supports Briggs’ explanation.     

Spin-flip cross sections in muonic hydrogen scattering on hydrogen molecules

The results of calculations of the total cross sections of spin-flip processes in low energy muonic hydrogen scattering on hydrogen molecules are presented. These calculations are based on the respective set of cross sections for muonic hydrogen scattering on hydrogen nuclei, obtained within the framework of the multichannel adiabatic method. All combinations of the three hydrogen isotopes are considered. Molecular binding effects are described in terms of the Fermi pseudopotential method. Electron screening effects are calculated in the distorted wave Born approximation. Rotational and vibrational transitions of the molecules, due to collisions with muonic hydrogen atoms, are taken into account. The molecular and electron screening corrections do not exceed a few tens per cent for lowest collision energies.     

Differential elastic cross-sections of excited exotic hydrogen atoms

Differential cross-sections for the elastic scattering of excited exotic hydrogen atoms by hydrogenic atoms are calculated for the first time. The calculations are performed for exotic atoms (μ a,π a; a=p,d,t) in the states with the principal quantum numbers n=2-10 at relative motion energies E=0.001-15 eV and at scattering angles ϑ =0–180^00B0;. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Surface plasmon excitation at a Au surface by 150-40,000 eV electrons

Spectra of electrons with energies between 5 and 40 keV reflected from a homogeneous Au surface have been measured and analyzed to give the normalized distribution of energy losses in a single surface and volume excitation, as well as the total probability for excitation of surface plasmons. The resulting single scattering loss distributions compare excellently in (absolute units) with data from previous work taken at lower energies (150-3400 eV). An empirical relationship is derived for the total surface excitation probability as a function of the energy. For high energies the surface scattering zone represents only a small fraction of a typical electron trajectory and hence interference effects should be small at these energies. Since we find that both the energy dependence of the surface plasmon excitation probability and the shape of the single scattering loss distributions are the same at high and low electron energies, we conclude that there is no evidence for interference effects in the entire energy range studied.     

Focusing of electrons reflected from a crystal with loss of energy

A study is made of the features arising in the spatial distributions of reflected electrons as a result of a focusing effect. Experiments are conducted on single-crystal Mo (100) with primary electron energies of 0.5–2 keV and detection of electrons which lose fixed amounts of energy up to 300 eV. An analysis of the data establishes the dependence of the electron focusing efficiency on the amount of energy loss. It is shown that when electrons are reflected with single losses through plasmon excitation, the magnitude of the effect is determined mainly by the average number of scattering atoms encountered by an electron along its path to the surface. When the energy losses are high, defocusing owing to multiple elastic and inelastic scattering of the electrons is found to predominate. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 128–133 (June 1998)     

Interaction between nanobuds and hydrogen molecules: A first-principles study

Hydrogen storage materials are crucial for the wide application of hydrogen in fuel cells. In this Letter, the interaction between hydrogen molecules and nanobuds has been studied using the Dmol3 package. The results show that the adsorption energies of hydrogen molecules onto nanobuds range from 0.069 eV to 0.115 eV, and that the adsorption energies are not sensitive to the nanobuds' structures but closely related to the number of carbon atoms around H₂ molecules. The energy barrier of a hydrogen molecule entering C176 is 2.38 eV. Each C176 nanobud can accommodate four H₂ molecules. The stress existing in nanobuds induces alterative charge distribution, which can improve the hydrogen storage performance of nanobuds to a certain extent.     

Processes involving a change in the charge states during interactions of He2+ ions with fullerenes

The cross sections for the elementary processes involving a change of the charge states of both particles during the interaction of He²⁺ ions with fullerene molecules are for the first time measured over a broad energy range of electron-volt energies. It is found that processes involving the capture of one or two electrons by the He²⁺ ions are accompanied by additional ionization of the fullerene and that the collisional contribution of the transfer-ionization processes increases with increasing velocity. Single-electron capture is rarely accompanied by fragmentation of the fullerene. Double-electron capture leads, with a higher probability, to fragmentation with the formation of several light charged fragments and, with a smaller probability, to fragmentation with the formation of a heavy charged fragment containing an even number of carbon atoms and light fragments in an uncharged state. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 12–14 (April 1998)     

Features of electron exchange under grazing scattering of negative hydrogen ions by a spherical cluster of aluminum atoms

The electron exchange under grazing scattering of a negative hydrogen ion by a spherical cluster of aluminum atoms is investigated. To solve the problem, the wave packet’s propagation method, which doesn’t utilize the perturbation theory, has been used. The fraction of scattered negative ions has been calculated as a function of the ion’s velocity component parallel to the surface. It is shown that the yield of negative hydrogen ions under grazing scattering by a spherical cluster has a bell-shaped dependence on the value of the velocity component parallel to the surface.     

Energy spectrum of ejected electrons in ionization of hydrogen atoms by electrons

Energy spectrum of ejected electrons in ionization of hydrogen atoms has been calculated following a multiple scattering theory of Das and Seal [15]. The results show peaks around two to three Rydbergs of energies of the ejected electrons, for incident electron energy of 250 eV and 500 eV, considered here, and for different combinations of the angular variables of the scattered and the ejected electrons, for scattering in a plane. The peaks are very similar to those observed in relativistic K-shell ionization of Ag atoms by electrons at 500 KeV energy [6]. The physical origin of these peaks may be traced to the second order scatterings, scattering first by the atomic nucleus (or the atomic electron) and then a second time by the atomic electron. These peaks are, however, absent in the first Born results. Experimental verification of the present results and theoretical calculation by some other well-known methods will be interesting.