A Continuous Supersonic Expansion Discharge Nozzle For Rotationally Cold Ions Carrie A. Kauffman, Kyle N. Crabtree, Benjamin J. McCall Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois June 23rd, 2009
Motivation Molecular ions Organic Reaction Intermediates Combustion Atmospheric Chemistry Interstellar Chemistry + Simulation of N2+ of the A 2∏u – X 2∑g+ (4-0) Due to the low temperatures and pressures that occur in the interstellar medium, ions dominate the chemistry due to their low reaction barriers. In order to probe these species, laboratory spectra are needed. In addition, spectra of these molecular ions would aid in the understanding of organic reaction intermediates, combustion processes, and atmospheric chemistry.
Sensitive Cooled Resolved Ion BEam Spectroscopy Supersonic Source For more on the progress of SCRIBES, stay for the next two talks.
Supersonic Expansion Barrel Shock Mach Disk Low Pressure Region High Pressure Gas Small Orifice Adiabatic Process, dq = 0 dU = dq –dw dU = -PV Tvib >> Trot > Ttrans , where Trot ~ 0.5-30 K
Design Considerations Maximize ion density Modular Leak tight Robust Compatible with SCRIBES
Previous Reported Discharge Designs
First Generation - Corona Advantages Disadvantages Continuous Materials Chosen No modular components Compatibility Engelking, P.C.; Corona Excited Supersonic Expansion. Rev. Sci. Instrum., 1986, 57, 2274-2277.
Slit Design Advantages Disadvantages Materials Chosen Integration with SCRIBES Clustering Pulsed Broks, B.; Brok, W.; Remy, J; van der Mullen, J.; Benidar, A.; Biennier, L. & Salama, F.; Modeling the Influence of Anode-Cathode Spacing in a Pulsed Discharge Nozzle. Spectrochim Acta B, 2005, 60, 1442-1449.
Nozzle Design Advantages Disadvantages Compatibility with SCRIBES Pulsed Modular Materials McCarthy, M. C., Chen, W.; Travers, M. J. & Thaddeus, P. Microwave Spectra of 11 Polyyne Carbon Chains. Astrophys. J. Suppl., 2000, 129, 611-623.
Design 1-3 Atmosphere of backing pressure Orifice Size: 250 to 1000 micron with varying geometry Typical Chamber Pressure 100 mTorr
Source Nitrogen Gas Running Voltage: -200 to -500 V Running Current: 30 mA Operation Time: 100+ Hours
Characterization of the source Ion Current Optimization of Cooling Capabilities
Summary Design Continuous Supersonic Expansion Nozzle Discharge Modular Self-Aligning Robust
Acknowledgements SCS Machine Shop McCall Research Group Ben McCall