DESORPTION OF MOLECULES BY ION-BEAM BOMBARDMENT

An experimental apparatus was devised nd built which would produce ions of relatively low energy which would desorb molecules from a surface by bombardment. onolayers of stearic acid and stearyl alcohol were desorbed from platinum, copper and stai less steel substrates. Argon ions were formed in an electron beam and the positive ions accelerated toward the negative electrode. The bombardment of the surface was continued at a constant energy level until desorption had become vanishing small. In this manner the threshold energy necessary for desorption was measured. Author