Promising Thermal Source of Boron Atoms
Abstract
A "cannon" design has been tested as a high flux thermal source of pure boron atoms. Boron is packed into a central channel of a 1/4 in graphite rod with the open end pointed towards the deposition substrate. A refractory metal sheath surrounds and heats the carbon as the applied current increases. Successful argon matrix isolation experiments indicate that the boron cannon will be an effective way to produce pure boron atoms. Products from previous thermal techniques that used carbon as a container in which to heat boron, have been heavily contaminated with carbon and boron/carbon compounds. The cannon design exploits the difference in vapor pressures of boron and carbon at a given temperature. The design, operating temperature, and procedure for heating the cannon are still being optimized. Because of the higher flux of boron, hard to detect species such as B2C, are more easily observed. Experiments also confirm that carbon monoxide (CO) is a thorough scavenger of boron atoms. When large amounts of CO are present, BCO and clusters of these molecules are the only products. This procedure could be developed into a diagnostic for the presence of B atoms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 02, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA408598
Entities
People
- Carl William Larson
- J. Harper
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory