The Physics and Chemistry of Sputtering by Energetic Plasma Ions |
| |
Authors: | RE Johnson F Leblanc |
| |
Institution: | (1) Engineering Physics, University of Virginia, USA;(2) Engineering Physics, University of Virginia, USA |
| |
Abstract: | Energetic ions from the solar wind, local pick-up ions or magnetospheric plasma ions impact the atmospheres and surfaces of
a number of solar system bodies. These energetic incident ions deposit energy in the gas or solid. This can lead to the ejection
of atoms and molecules, a process referred to as sputtering. In this paper we first describe the physics and chemistry of
atmospheric and surface sputtering. We then apply this to the production of a thin atmosphere on Europa by magnetospheric
ion bombardment of Europa's surface and show that Europa loses more Na atoms than it receives from the Jupiter magnetosphere.
The loss of atmosphere from Mars in earlier epochs by pick-up ion sputtering of that atmosphere is also calculated.
This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|