DESORPTION INDUCED BY ELECTRONIC-TRANSITIONS

A survey is presented of the techniques and instruments used in studies of desorption induced by electronic transitions (DIET) that can be stimulated by irradiating a solid surface by electrons (ESD) or photons (PSD). The most general characteristics and aspects of this phenomenon are systematized. An analysis is made of relations between DIET and crystallographic and band structure of the substrate, the nature of adsorption bonding and specific features of desorbing particles. The main DIET models involving various electronic excitations of adsorption bonding and their relaxation as particles escape from the surface are discussed, and their predictions are compared with the available experimental data. Particular attention is focussed on the DIET models involving many-electron excitations. The various applications of DIET techniques to studies of adsorbed layers and of surface processes are considered. The radiation stability of solid surfaces and of film coatings with respect to excitation of their electronic subsystem is discussed.