Modifying the photodetachment near a metal surface by a weak electric field

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how a weak static electric field can systematically modify the photodetachment cross sections of hydrogen near a metal surface by affecting the electron's transit-time and closed-orbit action.

Contribution

It introduces a method to control photodetachment cross sections via a weak electric field, linking the oscillatory behavior to electron dynamics near a metal surface.

Findings

Photodetachment cross sections are tunable with electric field strength.

Oscillatory features relate to electron transit-time and closed-orbit action.

Calculations cover various photon energies and electric field values.

Abstract

We show the photodetachment cross sections of H near a metal surface can be modified using a weak static electric field. The modification is possible because the oscillatory part of the cross section near a metal surface is directly connected with the transit-time and the action of the detached-electron closed-orbit which can be changed systematically by varying the static electric field strength. Photodetachment cross sections for various photon energies and electric field values are calculated and displayed.