Neutralization of low-energy He+ ions at a magnesium surface

Abstract Electron spin-labeling techniques, specifically the use of electron-spin-polarized He + ions coupled with energy-resolved measurements of the ejected electron polarization, are used to probe the dynamics of low-energy (≲60 eV) He + ion neutralization at a magnesium surface. Analysis of the polarization data indicates that incident ions undergo Auger neutralization. However, inelastic scattering and secondary electron production in the bulk also provide important contributions to the ejected electron signal at low electron energies. The measurements provide no evidence that excitation of multipole surface plasmons leads to significant electron emission.