Na/K(H 2O) n clusters produced by laser desorption of Na/K salt doped ice

We report a simple method for generating large hydrated clusters of alkali metals by 532 nm laser desorption of frozen solutions of Na/K salts in water. Na/K(H 2O) n clusters with n higher than 30 are observed by UV photo-ionisation and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We give a characterisation of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemical physics letters 2001-10, Vol.347 (4), p.390-396
Main Authors: Focsa, C., Destombes, J.L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atomic and molecular clusters
Atomic and molecular physics
Exact sciences and technology
Physics
Studies of special atoms, molecules and their ions
clusters
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Summary:We report a simple method for generating large hydrated clusters of alkali metals by 532 nm laser desorption of frozen solutions of Na/K salts in water. Na/K(H 2O) n clusters with n higher than 30 are observed by UV photo-ionisation and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We give a characterisation of the laser desorbed volume (related to the optical and thermal properties of the desorbed material) and a size and velocity distribution analysis of the clusters produced. A moderate supersonic expansion ( M=1.7) is evidenced. Using a Knudsen-layer model, a sample temperature of ≈530 K is deduced, consistent with a phase explosion process.
ISSN:0009-2614
1873-4448
DOI:10.1016/S0009-2614(01)01068-5