Computer simulations and rainbow patterns of alkali ion scattering from metal surfaces

Abstract In a previous article [Surface Sci. 172 (1986) 90] the necessity of 3-dimensional computer simulations has been shown for the modelling of the scattering of 10–100 eV K + from W(110). The measured triple differential cross section shows a complicated peak structure which can only be understood with the help of trajectory calculations. A simple model potential is given that can describe the scattering at 35 eV. The calculated trajectories show from which impact regions in the surface unit cell the peaks in the spectra originate. This mapping also allows a rainbow analysis for a triple differential cross section.