Pulsed metastable atom source for low vapour-pressure metals

• Published in: Measurement science & technology 1990-03, Vol.1 (3), p.250-254
• Main Authors: Urena, A G, Costales, E V, Rabanos, V S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Metrology, measurements and laboratory procedures; Physics
• ISSN: 0957-0233; 1361-6501
• DOI: 10.1088/0957-0233/1/3/008

The basic design and most relevant experimental conditions of a pulsed metastable atomic-beam oven are described. The stainless steel oven is suitable for vaporising metals and salts up to approx 1400K producing intense beams of metastable alkaline-earth atoms when pulsed or CW low voltage discharges are used. Several applications using atomic C in its exp 3 P and exp 1 D electronic state are reported. The beam characterisation and discharge efficiency have been measured by time-of-flight or laser-induced fluorescence techniques. In addition, a method of changing the metastable n exp 3 P/n sub 1 D ratio, by raising the oven temperature, is described which looks very promising for the study of electronic selectivity in reactive collision processes. Finally several spectroscopic applications for atomic and molecular beam determinations are reported. 8 ref.--AA