Photos induced desorption and intercalation of potassium atoms deposited on graphite(0001)

• In addition to the photodesorption phenomenon previously observed for single K atoms from a graphite surface covered with a monolayer of potassium we present new results related to the photon stimulated interaction of potassium with graphite, which concerns alternative routes for energy relaxation of the photo excited K adatoms: photoinduced intercalation. The desorption yield has a threshold at h omega approximate to 3 eV and a maximum at h omega(max) approximate to 4.9 eV, Polarization measurements indicate a substrate-mediated mechanism. The coverage dependence suggests that only the ionic 2D, K-phase is photo active. The proposed mechanism includes attachment of photo-generated hot electrons to the K 4s adsorbate resonance of energy E(res). Assuming an analogous excitation process we discuss different mechanisms for the K photo intercalation and possible applications of the photon stimulated doping of carboneous materials at low temperature.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Annan fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Other Physics Topics (hsv//eng)

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art (subject category)