Comparison of the interactions ofH2and rare-gas atoms with surfaces of insulators

Abstract
Calculations are presented for the interactions of H2, He, Ne, and Ar with the (001) surfaces of LiF, NaCl, and MgO. We have used a model potential that we developed previously and here applied to new systems. The proposed interaction potential has only one free parameter. This is chosen to be a coefficient describing the long-range interaction, since such a coefficient is the least well known. We then discuss the applicability of this model by comparing the results for different systems. In particular we discuss the He/MgO(001) system for which contradictory experimental determinations of the well depth exist.