Resonance fluctuation-electromagnetic energy losses during the glancing reflection of a neutral atomic beam from the smooth amorphous surface of a solid

The energy losses of a Cs⁺ion beam are theoretically studied during its glancing reflection from a smooth amorphous surface of a dielectric or a semiconductor and films made of these materials on a metallic substrate. The conditions of resonance fluctuation-electromagnetic interaction between neutralized Cs atoms and surface polaritons are considered for surfaces where the effects of interest seem to be the most significant. Calculations indicate that, at the optimized initial glancing angle and the Cs⁺ ion beam energy (ψ_in = 0.1–1.0 mrad, E ₀ ～ 50–100 keV), the fluctuation-electromagnetic forces substantially contribute to the total energy losses and this contribution has characteristic dependences on the temperature, particle velocity, and material parameters.