Selective adsorption resonances: Quantum and stochastic approaches

In this review we cover recent advances in the theory of the selective adsorption phenomenon that appears in light atom/molecule scattering off solid surfaces. Due to the universal van der Waals attractive interaction incoming gas particles can get trapped by the surface, this giving rise to the formation of quasi-bound states or resonances. The knowledge of the position and width of these resonances provides relevant direct information about the nature of the gas–surface interaction as well as about the evaporation and desorption mechanisms. This information can be obtained by means of a plethora of theoretical methods developed in both the energy and time domains, which we analyze and discuss here in detail. In particular, special emphasis is given to close-coupling, wave-packet, and trajectory-based formalisms. Furthermore, a novel description of selective adsorption resonances from a stochastic quantum perspective within the density matrix and Langevin formalisms, when correlations and fluctuations of the surface (considered as a thermal bath) are taken into account, is also proposed and discussed.