Surface channeling of swift light ions

Abstract

A fast computer code is developed to provide information about the trajectories of swift light particles incident on crystalline targets under surface channeling conditions. The approximations used in the model are tested by comparison of trajectory calculations with the MARLOWE simulation program. The simulation of experimental energy distributions allows discussing various inelastic energy loss models for the interaction of 150 keV protons with a nickel surface. The results suggest that plasmon excitations are not sufficient to account for the measured energy losses. It is found that the Oen-Robinson formula, including inelastic energy losses by single electron excitations in dense materials reasonably well applies to the reflection of light ions from metallic surfaces in channeling conditions. The measured light intensity emitted from 200 keV He⁺ reflected ions in various directions close to compact atomic surface rows is compared with the calculated reflection coefficient. The results suggest that most of the particles reflected in ionic state do not penetrate the target surface. Detailed comparison between light emission measurements and calculated reflection intensities, however, requires accurate modelling of the surface topography as well as of the deexcitation mechanisms involved in the surface reflection of light ions.