sputtering yield

Sputtering yield refers to the number of atoms ejected from a surface when it is bombarded by energetic particles, such as ions. When these particles strike the surface, they can knock atoms loose, and the sputtering yield quantifies how effective this process is. A higher yield means more atoms are removed from the surface for each incoming particle. This concept is important in fields like materials science, semiconductor fabrication, and surface coating, where controlled removal or modification of material is crucial for creating desired properties or structures.