Comparison of one-dimensional and three-dimensional models for the energy accommodation coefficient

The accommodation coefficient (AC) for the transfer of energy at a gas–surface interface is treated with a one-dimensional (1D) theoretical model for classical scattering that retains full temperature dependence of both the gas and surface. Calculations are carried out for a purely repulsive gas–surface interaction and for the case in which there is an attractive adsorption well. Comparison with 3D calculations and with data for the accommodation of the rare gases at a tungsten surface indicates that full 3D dynamics are important for calculating the AC.