Non-Stueckelberg oscillatory behavior in ion-solid charge transfer

Reionization of an ion colliding with a solid surface is possible when the atomic level of the ion crosses the Fermi level of the surface. We use a recently reported soluble model to show that a shift of the atomic level above the Fermi level comparable to the surface bandwidth leads to oscillations in the ion survival probability, even when Stueckelberg oscillations are absent. The competing mechanisms responsible for this interesting oscillatory behavior are elucidated and related to a previously unexpected interference between the initially full and empty metallic states.72