  He atom scattering has been demonstrated to be a sensitive probe of the
electron-phonon interaction parameter $\lambda$ at metal and metal-overlayer
surfaces. Here it is shown that the theory linking $\lambda$ to the thermal
attenuation of atom scattering spectra (the Debye-Waller factor), can be
applied to topological semimetal surfaces, like the quasi-one dimensional
charge-density-wave system Bi(114) and the layered pnictogen chalcogenides.
