Phonon-mediated bound state resonances in inelastic atom-surface scattering

We present a comprehensive discussion of the mechanisms leading to the manifestation of phonon-mediated bound state resonance features in the energy resolved distributions of thermal energy He atoms inelastically scattered from weakly corrugated surfaces. We critically examine the various effects that may either favour or hinder experimental detection of these features and point out the conditions under which their observability may be attempted in view of the recent developments in high resolution He atom scattering spectroscopy