Surface induced dissociation in slow collisions of H2+ and O2+: information from the ion impact electron spectra

Measured and modeled ion impact electron spectra for slow collisions (50 eV) of H2+ and O2+ ions with W(110) surfaces under grazing incidence are presented. The modeled electron energy spectra, both for H2+ and O2+ collisions, are shown to agree satisfactorily with the experimental results. This in turn allows for the identification of the sequence of electron transfer processes taking place during the collision, and gives information on the mechanisms for surface-induced dissociation in slow collisions of molecular ions.