Recoil energy distribution of hydrogen isotopes adsorbed on tungsten

The energies of adsorbed H and D recoiled from tungsten surfaces during bombardment with 3 keV Ne+ at oblique angles of incidence were measured. The energy spectra show structure that extends above the elastic recoil energy. We find that the high-energy structure results from multiple collisions, namely recoil of a H isotope followed by scattering from an adjacent W atom, and vice versa. This scattering assisted recoil process is especially prevalent for H isotopes adsorbed on W, owing to the large mass difference between the scattering partners. Such processes will tend to enhance H isotope recycling from plasma-facing W surfaces and reduce energy transfer to the W substrate.