Delayed desorption - a proposed new utilisation of radioactive atomic nuclei for surface studies

The utilisation of complex radioactive decay chains for surface studies is proposed. The recoil momentum imparted to the nucleus in beta-decay or electron capture causes the atom to desorb from the surface onto which it has been adsorbed. The measurement of the total probability of desorption and its angular dependence for a variety of isotopes is investigated as a potential source of information about surface structure. Various aspects of this technique are discussed, along with some of its variants and experimental options. (author)