Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics 144, 161-166 (2007)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2007-00121-0

Luminescence in collisions of low-energy ions with graphite and Al₂O₃

Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Gdańsk, Wita Stwosza 57, 80-952 Gdańsk, Poland

Abstract

Excitation of H⁺, H₂⁺, H₃⁺, He⁺, and Ar⁺ ions by impact on graphite and Al₂O₃ was investigated by means of emission spectroscopy in the 50–1000 eV energy range of the projectiles. Emission of Balmer series from excited neutral hydrogen is observed for both targets. In addition, for the Al₂O₃ target a continuum emission is observed. The continuum probably originates from excited M_nO_m molecules produced in the collision cascade, when surface atoms bound by ionic bonds are released after the bond breaking caused by neutralization. The spectra obtained under Ar⁺ -bombardment show Ar II lines emitted by backscattered ions.