Negative ion formation during scattering of fast ions from diamond-like carbon surfaces

Abstract Fractions of negative ions after grazing scattering of fast hydrogen and oxygen atoms and ions from diamond-like carbon (DLC) surfaces are studied as function of projectile velocity. We reveal a pronounced kinematic resonance behaviour for the negative ion fractions as function of projectile velocity which provides important information on the charge transfer mechanism. The conversion of neutral atoms into negative ions during scattering from DLC surfaces is used for the detection of energetic neutral atoms in space.