Low energy impact of silver atoms on Pd(100): comparison between helium scattering and microscopic scale simulation results

Molecular dynamics simulations of the impact of Ag atoms at low energies (20 eV and 95 eV in the direction perpendicular to the surface) on Pd(100) are performed using embedded atom (EAM) potentials. The results are compared with recent helium scattering data relative to the impact of Ag/sub 1//sup +/ ions on a Pd(100) surface. Overall, the simulation results are in favorable agreement with the experiments and allow the outcome of the collision to be described in terms of a defect population consisting of the impinging Ag atom, Pd adatoms and substrate vacancies.