The surface ionization of Li, and the ionic thermal desorption behavior, were studied by using a method which was based upon the Li+ ion current noise that arose from fluctuations of the work function which were caused by random fluctuations of the Li adsorbate density. The activation energy for surface diffusion, and the desorption energy for Li atoms, were determined by measuring the time correlation function of the local ion thermo-emission current fluctuations. The activation energy for the surface diffusion of Li was 0.61eV.

L.Gladyszewski: Surface Science, 1989, 213[2-3], 481-7