We have measured the ratio of the population of Ni neutral atoms sputtered into the a3D3 metastable state to that into the a3F4 ground state using two-color ionization schemes. The ratio is 2.27±0.31 for Ni, 2.34±0.17 for Ni3Al, and 2.61±0.27 for NiAl. Within experimental error, we observed no effect of the valence band electron structure on the population ratio. We suggest that sputtered atoms should experience resonant neutralization and nonradiative relaxation. Before neutralization, departing Ni ions from the surface have an electron con...
