Eur. Phys. J. D 63, 97-102 (2011)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2011-10614-6

Regular Article

On the validity of the electron transfer model in photon emission from ion bombarded vanadium surfaces

¹ Equipe de Spectroscopie & Imagerie Atomiques des Matériaux, Université Cadi Ayyad, Marrakech, Maroc
² Faculté Polydisciplinaire, Université Chouaib Doukkali, B.P. 2390 El Jadida, Maroc

^a e-mail: m.aitelfqih@gmail.com

Received: 23 October 2010
Received in final form: 15 January 2011
Published online: 17 May 2011

Abstract

The spectral structure of the radiation (250–500 nm) emitted during sputtering of clean and oxygen-covered polycrystalline vanadium and V₂O₅ by 5 keV Kr⁺ ions is presented. The optical spectra obtained by bombarding the vanadium target consist of series of sharp lines, which are attributed to neutral and ionic excited V. The same lines are observed in the spectra of V₂O₅ and vanadium when oxygen is present. The absolute intensities of VI and VII lines are measured under similar conditions for all spectra. The difference in photon yield from the clean and oxide vanadium targets is discussed in terms of the electron-transfer processes between the excited sputtered and electronic levels of the two types of surfaces. We have examined the existing models of ionisation, excitation, neutralisation and de-excitation of atomic particles in the vicinity of solid surfaces. Continuum radiation was also observed and interpreted as a result of the emission of excited molecules of the metal-oxide.