Analytic expressions are presented which may be used to compute the sputter-erosion yield from any unimolecular gravitationally bound gas by any atomic charged particle of any energy. A calculation of solar wind proton and alpha particle induced erosion of the CO2 atmosphere of Mars predicts molecular sputtering yields Sp?0.029 and Sα?0.21. These numbers are comparable to the results of earlier Monte Carol simulations. An expression for the emission yield of energetic molecular fragments produced in primary knock-on events is also given in closed form. Such fragment emission is of secondary importance for mass loss compared to the molecular yield itself. Erosion by radiation belt protons of a hypothetical thin O2 atmosphere associated with the Jovian satellite Ganymede is considered. Molecular sputtering yields for proton energies at 1 keV and 1 MeV are 0.115 and 6.4¿10-4, respectively. The yield at the lower energy can have significant effects on atmospheric equilibrium should keV proton fluxes equal or exceed about 108 cm-2 s-1. |