Abstract
A method is developed for solving the Schrödinger equation to obtain the eigenfunctions (z,R) and eigenvalues of an adsorbed atom. By solving a one-dimensional equation for a given position R on the surface, one generates an effective potential (R) for the problem of lateral motion. The leading correction to this Born-Oppenheimer-like approach is expressed in analytic form. A numerical calculation for the case of He on graphite illustrates the simplicity and accuracy of the method. The mean distance of a ground-state He4 atom is found to agree with an experimental result of Carneiro, Passell, Thomlinson, and Taub.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3914-3919 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Physical Review B |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1981 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Condensed Matter Physics