Scattering and recoiling mapping of the Kr–Pt(1 1 1) system by SARIS

The technique of angle resolved mapping of scattering and recoiling imaging spectra (SARIS) combined with computer simulations is demonstrated to be a valuable tool for characterization of atomic collision events on surfaces. The energy distributions of scattered Kr and fast recoiled Pt atoms from a Pt(1 1 1) surface were measured as a function of exit angle. The use of a large area microchannel plate detector and time-of-flight techniques decreases the collection time and increases the number of detected trajectories above that of other designs. Classical ion trajectory simulations using the three-dimensional scattering and recoiling imaging code are used to simulate the kinematics of the scattering and recoiling particles. It is shown that SARIS mapping allows one to probe the kinematics of both scattered and recoiled particles, the probability for their occurrence in specific trajectories, their detection probabilities, and their threshold detection velocity. The measured and simulated energy distributions agree quantitatively if the detection efficiency is taken into account. The observed value of the threshold detection velocity for Pt atoms, νth=3.78(5)×104 m/s, is in good agreement with previous studies.