Sticking probability

The sticking coefficient is a term used in surface physics / surface chemistry. It is the probability that a particle, that is, an atom or molecule, which impinges on a surface is adhered to the surface is thus adsorbed. The sticking coefficient tends to decrease with increasing coverage of the surface is completely covered it then becomes almost zero. The course of the sticking coefficient with the increase of the coverage can be explained by the model of the precursor state.