EID study on the system platinum-hydrogen

Abstract

Electron induced desorption of hydrogen on polycrystalline platinum has been studied in continuation of former work. The results remain consistent with a supposed adsorption model implying that electron induced H⁺ emission is restricted to hydrogen adsorbed only at particular sites occupying not more than 1 per cent coverage. These sites are ascribed to characteristic and stable surface impurities which are not influenced by the improved target treatment applied. Depletion of sites by sputter cleaning is cancelled by recovery during annealing. The highest observed H⁺ yield (all available sites filled with hydrogen) is 2 · 10⁻⁵ ions per electron. The total cross section for desorption by electron impact is 2 · 10⁻¹⁷ cm². Complex interaction phenomena between the electrons and the hydrogen covered platinum surface have been observed.