Electronic excitations generated by the deposition of Mg on Mg films

Nonadiabatic processes are observed during growth of Mg atoms from the gas phase on Mg films. Chemicurrents are measured in thin film Mg/p-Si(001) Schottky diodes which are exposed to thermally evaporated Mg atoms. The photonic and chemical contributions to the observed reverse currents in the devices can be distinguished by varying the Mg atom flux and by independent measurements using an empty evaporator as a source of heat radiation.