Unusual Metastable-Quenching Spectrum of K/Ni(111) and its Explanation by a New Quenching Mechanism

Abstract
We present helium metastable-quenching spectra of K/Ni(111) whose spectral features show unusual coverage dependence. These are explained by a mechanism in which the surface ionizes the incident singlet He* and then neutralizes the ion to form a He* triplet. These spectra reflect the fact that the local work function varies strongly along the surface.