A model for electron and photon desorption of neutral and ionized molecules from metal surfaces is presented. The novel features of this model are that desorption can take place from excited bonding states, and that the desorbing particle starts its motion toward the substrate, in contrast to the usual assumption. A discussion of the qualitative consequences of this model and their comparison with experiment is presented.

• Received 12 September 1978

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.21.3811