Trapping dynamics of xenon on platinum(111). Arumainayagam, Christopher R.; Madix, Robert J.; McMaster, Mark C.; Suzawa, Valerie M.; Tully, John C. Dep. Chem., Stanford Univ., Stanford, CA, USA. Surf. Sci. (1990), 226(1-2), 180-90. CODEN: SUSCAS ISSN: 0039-6028. Journal written in English. CAN 112:186428 AN 1990:186428 CAPLUS (Copyright 2001 ACS)

The dynamics of Xe trapping on Pt(111) was studied using supersonic at. beam techniques. Initial trapping probabilities (S) were measured directly as a function of incident translational energy (E_T) and angle of incidence (q_i) at a surface temp. (T_s) of 95 K. The initial trapping probability decreases smoothly with increasing E_T cosq_i, rather than E_T cos²q_i, suggesting the participation of parallel momentum in the trapping process. Accordingly, the measured initial trapping probability falls off more slowly with increasing incident translational energy than predicted by one-dimensional theories. This finding is in near agreement with previous mean translational energy measurements for Xe desorbing near the Pt(111) surface normal, assuming detailed balance applies. Three-dimensional stochastic classical trajectory calcns. presented also exhibit the importance of tangential momentum in trapping and satisfactorily reproduce the exptl. initial trapping probabilities.