Desorption from solid surfaces via generalized Slater theory

The recently reported generalization of Slater’s theory of unimolecular reactions has been applied to the problem of atomic desorption from a crystalline solid (specifically, helium from solid xenon). Using this formalism we are able to calculate the temperature and surface coverage dependence of the desorption rate constant as well as to observe the extent to which the rate is sensitive to the structure of the crystal substrate. In addition, our results suggest that a cooperative desorption mechanism may become important at low surface temperatures for some systems.