Electron transfer processes between sputtered O atoms and Ag(110):O(n x 1) reconstructed surfaces

We present results of a study of sputtered oxygen atom outgoing trajectory dependence of the electron transfers with oxidized Ag(110) surfaces reconstructed in different (n x 1) added row structures. With a charge state resolved time-of-flight-direct recoil spectroscopy investigation using 4 keV Ar+ incident ions, we determine relative yields of sputtered O and Ag atoms as well as the fraction of sputtered O- ions, for different incident polar and azimuthal angles. The relative yields of sputtered O atoms are satisfactorily reproduced by a classical dynamics simulation. No sputtered Ag- ions were detected. A qualitative discussion of the features of the oxygen negative ion fractions suggests that its description needs, in general, to take into account both capture and loss of electrons as the oxygen atom leaves the surface. The experimental data also suggest that one needs to correctly describe the corrugation of the surface and that the electron loss rates should be site-specific