Quantum effects in the scattering of argon from 2H-W(100)

Diffraction has been observed in the scattering of Ar from a 2H-W(100) surface. Results are found to be consistent with an effective surface corrugation amplitude of about 0.05 A, which is similar to values obtained for He and Ne diffraction from this surface. The temperature dependence yields a surface Debye temperature of 1/4400 K. We also find that the shape and behavior of surface scattering rainbows observed in this system are best accounted for by a quantum mechanical treatment of the Ar-surface interaction. © 1989 The American Physical Society.