Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A, Vol.23, No.4, 1085-1089, 2005
Vibrationally promoted emission of electrons from low work function surfaces: Oxygen and Cs surface coverage dependence
We observe electron emission from low work function Cs covered An surfaces due to the scattering of vibrationally excited NO molecules with 18 quanta of vibration in the ground electronic state. Additional experiments explore the influence of oxygen exposure on the electron emission. These results indicate a nondissociative mechanism for reactivity of vibrationally excited NO on these surfaces and provide evidence against an Auger-like mechanism. We note a remarkable similarity between trends of the vibrationally produced electron emission as the surface composition changes and reports on surface work function. (c) 2005 American Vacuum Society.