Fluence dependent electron emission as a measure of surface modification induced by swift heavy ions

From the fluence dependence of low energy electron yields induced by swift heavy ions, one can deduce a cross section for surface transformation by electronic processes. For a clean metal surface exposed to a contaminant gas in ultrahigh vacuum, this cross section is related to the electronic desorption. In general, this cross section is also related to structural modification of the surface. The dependence of electron yields, surface transformation cross section and secondary ion yields for carbon foils show a different dependence on the electronic stopping power which is a hint for different ejection mechanisms involved. (orig.)