Generating velocity and angular distribution functions of molecules scattered off of surfaces from measurements of forces exerted on surfaces by incident gases

Velocity and angular distribution functions of the molecules scattered from surfaces are approximated using the Nocilla gas/surface interaction model. The Nocilla model parameters are obtained using the reduced force coefficients for H2, N2, CO, and CO2 incident upon surfaces of SiO2 coated Kapton, Kapton, Z-93 coated Al, and a solar panel array material. The reduced force coefficients are the foundation of a new formalism used to describe momentum accommodation in gas/surface interactions. The reduced force coefficients were determined for the gas/surface interactions described above from measurements of the forces exerted on the surfaces by molecular beams using a specialized torsion balance. (Author)