On Auger neutralization of Heions on a Ag(111) surface

Neutralization of He + ions in grazing incidence scattering on Ag(111) is studied. A small scattered ion fraction is observed. The experimental results are discussed in terms of survival from Auger neutralization, whose rates are derived theoretically. Molecular dynamics simulations of scattered ion trajectories are performed and the surviving ion fractions are then calculated using the theoretically estimated Auger neutralization rates. The calculations agree quite well with the experimental data and empirical estimates of the neutralization rates.