Sticking coefficients of atoms on solid surfaces at low temperatures

Abstract
It is shown that the polarization effect, discussed by Knowles and Suhl [Phys. Rev. Lett. 39, (1977) 1417], is unnecessary to explain why sticking (adsorption) probabilities of atoms on surfaces remain nonzero down to zero energies. The earlier explanation, in terms of the long-range nature of the atom-surface interaction potential, is sufficient.