Photodetachment of H^- in a Static Electric Field near a Surface

The photodetachment of H^- in a static electric field near a surface is investigated based on the closed orbit theory. It is found the distance between the ion and the surface modulates the cross section of photodetachment. For an elastic surface perpendicular to electric field, the detachment spectrum displays a staircase structure, in contrast with the smooth oscillation when only the electric field exists.