Positron-annihilation-induced ion desorption from TiO2(110).

We have investigated the positron-stimulated desorption of ions from a TiO2(l10) surface. Desorbed O+ ions were detected in coincidence with the emission of annihilation γ rays. The energy dependence of the ion yields shows that the O+ ions were detected at energies much lower than the previously reported threshold for electron impact desorption corresponding to the excitation energy of Ti(3p) core electrons. These results provide evidence that core-hole creation by positron annihilation with electrons in the core levels leads to ion desorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]