Determination of the surface potential of a dielectric layer on a target bombarded by an ion beam

The electric field at the surface of a charge spot created by an ion beam on a dielectric coating of a target is calculated. An expression is obtained which relates the surface potential of the insulator to the potential of the collector corresponding to saturation of the collector secondary-electron current. It permits determination of the potential drop across the oxide layer of a cold cathode without introducing complications in the construction of the experimental apparatus. Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 68, 126–128 (September 1998)