Negative-Ion Formation on Alkali-Metal Surfaces

Abstract
Thermal SF6 molecules have been observed to decompose and desorb as various atomic and molecular negative ions upon impact with room-temperature alkali-metal surfaces. Many of the negative ions observed have electron affinities which are less than the alkali-metal work function; hence the mechanism for ion formation and desorption is complex. A simple model is proposed to account for some of the observations.