A multi-reflection time-of-flight setup for the study of atomic clusters produced by magnetron sputtering.

Area of Science:

• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Materials Science
• Physical Chemistry

Background:

• The Greifswald multi-reflection time-of-flight setup is a key instrument for cluster ion research.
• Previous limitations restricted the size range and types of atomic clusters that could be studied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To extend the capabilities of the Greifswald time-of-flight setup for atomic cluster ion production and analysis.
• To enable new research avenues in atomic cluster science previously not feasible.

Main Methods:

• Integration of a magnetron sputtering gas aggregation source for cluster ion generation.
• Addition of a quadrupole mass filter for mass selection.
• Incorporation of a linear Paul trap for ion manipulation and storage.
• Interfacing new components with the existing time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

Main Results:

• Successful production of atomic cluster ions with sizes ranging from monomers to thousands of atoms.
• Demonstration of the system's capability to handle singly charged ions with masses up to tens of thousands of atomic mass units.
• Presentation of benchmarking data and initial experimental results validating the new setup.

Conclusions:

• The enhanced Greifswald setup significantly expands the scope of atomic cluster research.
• The new configuration allows for detailed studies of a wider range of atomic cluster properties.
• This advancement provides a powerful tool for investigating fundamental cluster physics and chemistry.