Experimental Investigations of Low-Energy (4 to 40 eV) Collisions of O-(2P) Ions and O(3P) Atoms With Surfaces

Using a newly-developed, magnetically confined source, low-energy, ground state oxygen negative ions and neutral atoms are generated. The energy range is variable, and atom and neutrals have been generated at energies varying from 2 eV to 40 eV and higher. It was found that the interaction of these low-energy species with a solid magnesium fluoride target leads to optical emissions in the (at least) visible and infrared regions of the spectrum. Researchers describe y details of the photodetachment source, and present spectra of the neutral and ion glows in the wavelength range 250 to 850 nm (for O-) and 600 to 850 nm (for O), and discuss the variability of the emissions for incident energies between 4 and 40 eV.