Impact formation of endohedral fullerenes at surfaces: Comparing field-free yield measurements with model calculations

Yields of endohedral Cs@C60+ ions were measured under field-free conditions, following the impact of low energy (Eo = 40–200 eV) Cs+ ions with a near-monolayer C60 molecules adsorbed on a gold surface. Under these conditions, we were able to apply model calculations and successfully simulate the experimental results. The simulation was carried out by integrating over calculated Cs@C60+ kinetic energy distributions (KEDs). Combined with former measurements and simulations of the KEDs, we arrive at a full and consistent description of both KEDs and impact energy dependent yields, reflecting the combined formation/ejection/decay dynamics of the Cs@C60+ ion.