The excitation of collective electronic modes in Al by slow single charged Ne ions

We have studied electron emission from decay of plasmons excited in the interactions of slow single charged Ne ions with Al surfaces as a function of incident energy ranging from 0.7 to 8 keV. Bulk plasmon excitation occurs above a threshold incident energy of similar to1 keV and initially coexists with potential excitation of surface modes. The excitation of bulk plasmons in Al is determined by fast electrons traveling inside the solid. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.