New surface ionization processes

The results of analysis of processes including surface ionization are presented. It is found that these processes do not fit into the classical theory of surface ionization. This concerns the processes with diffusion exchange of particles between the adsorbed layer and the bulk of the emitter, catalytic processes on the emitter surface involving individual centers, as well as processes occurring in the adsorbed layers under illumination, electron bombardment, and in electric fields. We consider the results of analysis of surface ionization of alkali metal atoms and organic molecules on the surface of gold intermetallide (Na$_x$Au$_y$), considerably extending information about this phenomenon.