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Updated: Jun 8, 2026

In Situ SIMS and IR Spectroscopy of Well-defined Surfaces Prepared by Soft Landing of Mass-selected Ions
Published on: June 16, 2014
Auger-mediated sticking of positrons to surfaces: evidence for a single-step transition from a scattering state to a
S Mukherjee1, M P Nadesalingam, P Guagliardo
1Department of Physics, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas 76019, USA.
Abstract:
We present the observation of an efficient mechanism for positron sticking to surfaces termed here Auger-mediated sticking. In this process the energy associated with the positrons transition from an unbound scattering state to a bound image potential state is coupled to a valence electron which can then have sufficient energy to leave the surface. Compelling evidence for this mechanism is found in a narrow secondary electron peak observed at incident positron kinetic energies well below the electron work function.
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