Small-angle particle reflection from random solids: Theory and experiment

Abstract

Particle reflection from solids at glancing incidence is analysed in terms of the Boltzmann transport equation using the diffusion approximation and the model of continuous slowing down in energy. The conditions permitting the use of the analytical formulae for ejection probability obtained for the case of weak stopping taking into account the surface border line and approximation formulae for the case of high stopping (infinite medium approximation) are analysed. Reasonable agreement is found between the theory predictions and the experimental data for 30 keV helium ions reflected from different targets and for 350 keV protons reflected from a silicon target.