Atoms interacting with a metal surface with adsorbates: Local and non-local effects on the charge transfer

A model system representing a collisional Li atom interacting in the ''on top'' geometry with an Al surface partly covered with Li adsorbates is studied. The cases of a unique adsorbate and of a uniform adsorbate layer are considered and compared. The energies and widths of the atom levels are much modified in the vicinity of the adsorbate. This is interpreted in terms of molecularisation of the atomic and adsorbate levels. These results also determine the relative importance of the local and non-local effects of the adsorbates on the resonant charge transfer process in atom-surface collisions.