Fermi edge singularities in ion-induced electron emission from plane metal surfaces

Auger electron emission – following low energy monoatomic ion impact on metal surfaces – is studied with a many body theory that includes both the band structure and the Fermi singular response of metal electrons (to the sudden neutralization of the projectiles). Application is made to the experimental kinetic energy distributions of electrons ejected from polycrystalline Al by Ar+-projectiles at varying incident energies and angles. Excellent agreement is found between the theory and the measurements.