Experimental Limits on the Velocities of Sodium Atoms Sputtered from Solid Surfaces by Hydrogen Ions,

摘要

We have observed optical emission at LAMBDA 589.0 nm by sodium atoms sputtered from solid targets by hydrogen molecular ions. We saw no broadening or shifts of this line relative to that from a laboratory lamp, and can therefore put limits upon the speeds of sodium atoms ejected from surfaces in this way. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the atomic sodium cloud surrounding Io is produced by this mechanism.