Study of the interaction of highly charged ions with metallic surfaces

The present state of our knowledge in the interaction of very highly charged ions, at low velocities, is reviewed. Some results obtained in electron spectroscopy, where the characteristic Auger lines of projectiles and targets have been observed, are presented as well as more recent experiments on x‐rays. The properties of hollow atoms are also reviewed. We survey in this paper some recent developments in the study of the interaction of ions on surfaces, especially the very highly charged ions which are now available at low velocity at the EBIS or ECR sources.