Photon emission from massive projectile impacts on solids

• Published in: Surface and interface analysis Vol. 43; no. 1-2; pp. 53 - 57
• Main Authors: Fernandez-Lima, F. A., Pinnick, V. T., Della-Negra, S., Schweikert, E. A.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.01.2011; Wiley
• Subjects: Atomic, molecular, and ion beam impact and interactions with surfaces; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Density; Deposition; Electron and ion emission by liquids and solids; impact phenomena; Electron emission; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Impact phenomena (including electron spectra and sputtering); Interface analysis; Luminescence; massive cluster keV projectiles; Photoemission and photoelectron spectra; Photon emission; Physics; Projectiles; SIMS; Gold; Luminescence; Energy density; SIMS; Kinetics; Electron emission; Photon emission; massive cluster keV projectiles
• ISSN: 0142-2421; 1096-9918; 1096-9918
• DOI: 10.1002/sia.3592

First evidence of photon emission from individual impacts of massive gold projectiles on solids for a number of projectile‐target combinations is reported. Photon emission from individual impacts of massive Aun+q (1⩽n⩽400; q = 1–4) projectiles with impact energies in the range of 28–136 keV occurs in less than 10 ns after the projectile impact. Experimental observations show an increase in the photon yield from individual impacts with the projectile size and velocity. Concurrently with the photon emission, electron emission from the impact area has been observed below the kinetic emission threshold and under unlikely conditions for potential electron emission. We interpret the puzzling electron emission and correlated luminescence observation as evidence of the electronic excitation resulting from the high‐energy density deposited by massive cluster projectiles during the impact. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.