A low-energy, electron-spin-polarized helium(+) ion source for use in surface studies

A spin polarized He$\sp+$ ion source has been developed to study the dynamics of ion-surface interactions. The He$\sp+$ ions are produced by Penning ionization in collisions between electron-spin-polarized He(2$\sp3$S) metastable atoms contained in a weak rf-excited discharge. The ions are extracted from the discharge and focused onto clean or adsorbate-covered surfaces using a series of electrostatic lenses. The impact energy can be varied from $\rm{<}10eV$ to $\rm{\ge}650eV$ and typical beam polarizations are 10-15%. Information about ion/surface interactions, and the dependence of those interactions on the incident ion energy, is obtained by measuring the energy distribution and polarization of electrons ejected from the surface as a result of Auger neutralization