Finite Debye-Waller factor for ‘‘classical’’ atom-surface scattering

K. Burke and W. Kohn
Phys. Rev. B 43, 2477 – Published 1 February 1991
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

We consider atom-surface scattering at low surface temperature, fixed incident energy, and fixed interaction potential. We examine the limit as the mass m of the incident particle →∞, and thus its de Broglie wavelength →0. We show that in this ‘‘classical’’ limit, at zero temperature, the Debye-Waller factor, i.e., the probability of strictly elastic scattering (a quantum effect), tends to a finite limit (<1). We propose scattering of 20-meV Ar atoms from cold Cu(111) as a promising experiment to verify this effect, and estimate the Debye-Waller factor for this system.

  • Received 18 September 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.43.2477

©1991 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

K. Burke and W. Kohn

  • Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 43, Iss. 4 — 1 February 1991

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×