Abstract
Kinetic emission (KE) of electrons near its threshold is studied for grazing impact of keV He atoms on flat and clean Al(111), Al(110), and Cu(111) surfaces. We observe a defined dependence of the KE threshold behaviour on the scattering conditions. The data are analyzed in the framework of a classical model for electron emission based on momentum transfer in binary encounters between atomic projectiles and conduction electrons of the metal target. From the impact velocity dependence of KE yields near threshold we obtain information on momenta of Fermi electrons as a function of distance from the surface and on the corresponding electronic surface potential.