The dynamics of image states on Cu(100) surfaces is studied in the presence of adatoms on the surface. A theoretical study of the population decay and pure dephasing (coherence decay) processes induced by Cu adatoms at low coverage is presented. This study yields a complete quantitative account of recent time-resolved two-photon-photoemission experiments. It thus fully validates the interpretation invoking electron scattering by adsorbates as the origin of the large modifications in the dynamics of image states induced by the presence of adsorbates on the surface.
Voir en ligne : Phys. Rev. B 70, 205417 (2004)