Abstract
We employ the multiple-scattering expansion of the transition operator to evaluate the role of multiple collisions in elastic scattering of atoms from adsorbates on solid surfaces at superthermal energies (E ≳ 0.1 eV). The adsorbatesurface system is treated as a rigid-body model in the present work. Mixed-species periodic overlayers are considered as well as two-layer systems simultaneously involving periodic and non-periodic configurations. The calculated scattering patterns show rich structure due to the interference between waves scattered from different adsorbates. The enhanced sensitivity provided by wavevectors k ≳ 10 Å-1 could be exploited for surface characterization by scattering experiments. We find that the single-collision approximation qualitatively reproduces the trends of the intensity with respect to final angles. Double-collision terms are evaluated with the pole approximation and found to play an important role in large transfers of parallel momentum.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 168-184 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | Surface Science |
Volume | 304 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 1 1994 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Surfaces and Interfaces
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Materials Chemistry