Three-Dimensional Simulation of an Ion Charge Exchange with Metal Surfaces

Abstract

Ion beams are used to diagnose and modify the surface of solids. Simulation of an ion charge exchange with the surface is necessary not only for understanding its fundamental laws but also for quantitative diagnostics since charged particles (ions) are recorded in most experimental setups. Due to the inevitable substantial numerical complexity in the direct simulation of the charge exchange, until recently only approximate one- and two-dimensional methods had been used. A few years ago, the authors created a program code that implements a direct three-dimensional simulation for graphical processing units. This article presents some examples of the calculations and studies the correct setting of the initial conditions.