Electron-surface collisions have been observed to result in the emission of optical radiation from desorbed atoms and molecules. The first resonance lines of Na and Li from alkali-halide targets, the Balmer lines of hydrogen, and OH molecular radiation are among the optical lines detected. These are the first observations of discrete line and molecular radiation originating from adsorbed particles ejected from the surface due to electron-stimulated desorption.

• Received 12 September 1980

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.46.134