A versatile, pulsed anion source utilizing plasma-entrainment: Characterization and applications

Abstract

A novel pulsed anion source has been developed, using plasma entrainment into a supersonic expansion. A pulsed discharge source perpendicular to the main gas expansion greatly reduces unwanted “heating” of the main expansion, a major setback in many pulsed anion sources in use today. The design principles and construction information are described and several examples demonstrate the range of applicability of this anion source. Large OH−(Ar)n clusters can be generated, with over 40 Ar solvating OH−. The solvation energy of OH−(Ar)n, where n = 1-3, 7, 12, and 18, is derived from photoelectron spectroscopy and shows that by n = 12-18, each Ar is bound by about 10 meV. In addition, cis– and trans– HOCO− are generated through rational anion synthesis (OH− + CO + M → HOCO− + M) and the photoelectron spectra compared with previous results. These results, along with several further proof-of-principle experiments on solvation and transient anion synthesis, demonstrate the ability of this source to efficiently produce cold anions. With modifications to two standard General Valve assemblies and very little maintenance, this anion source provides a versatile and straightforward addition to a wide array of experiments.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 26, 2015
Source ID
10.1063/1.4906300

Entities

People

  • Julia H. Lehman
  • W. Carl Lineberger
  • Yu-ju Lu

Organizations

  • Air Force Office of Scientific Research
  • National Science Foundation
  • University of Colorado

Tags

Readers

  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Quantum Chemistry
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Hypersonics
  • Hypersonics - Hypersonic Flight
  • Hypersonics - Hypersonic Flow
  • Microelectronics