Room-temperature metal-hydride discharge source, with observations on NiH and FeH

Area of Science:

• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Materials Science
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Laboratory production of metal hydrides is crucial for materials research.
• Existing methods may lack efficiency or versatility for certain hydrides.
• Spectroscopic analysis of metal hydrides provides fundamental insights into their properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel metal sputtering source for laboratory-scale metal hydride production.
• To analyze the sputtering process of nickel and iron in an Ar/H(2) discharge.
• To demonstrate the capability for high-resolution spectroscopic characterization of metal hydrides.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a metal sputtering source with a ferromagnetic circuit for Zeeman spectroscopy.
• Performed low-resolution analysis of sputtering from pure nickel and iron in an Ar/H(2) discharge.
• Recorded high-resolution laser excitation and dispersed fluorescence spectra of NiH.
• Employed Fourier transform interferometry for dispersed fluorescence measurements in magnetic fields up to 1 T.

Main Results:

• Successfully produced metal hydrides, including NiH and FeH.
• Obtained strong signals for dispersed fluorescence of NiH, enabling detailed spectral analysis.
• Demonstrated the source's capability to operate in magnetic fields up to 1 T.
• Confirmed the formation of FeH using the developed sputtering source.

Conclusions:

• The described metal sputtering source is effective for laboratory production of metal hydrides.
• The source facilitates high-resolution spectroscopic studies of metal hydrides, including NiH and FeH.
• The design allows for spectroscopic investigations under applied magnetic fields, enhancing characterization capabilities.