Work

Photoionization of temperature-controlled nanoparticles in a beam: Accurate and efficient determination of ionization energies and work functions

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A beam of free alkali metal nanoparticles is produced by a condensation source, passed through a thermalizing tube adjustable over a broad temperature range, and ionized by tunable light. High stability of the particle flux and an automated data acquisition routine allow efficient collection of photoionization yield curves. A careful fit of the data to the universal Fowler function makes it possible to obtain nanoparticle ionization energies, and from those, the metal work functions, with ∼0.2% precision. The experimental arrangement, nanoparticle thermalization rates, and ionization threshold analysis are described in detail. The use of ultrapure and temperature-controlled gas-phase nanoparticles facilitates the analysis of electronic properties, such as work functions, and of their interplay with thermal lattice dynamics.

Source: Review of Scientific Instruments

DOI: 10.1063/5.0300914

Authors: Atef A. Sheekhoon, Abdelrahman O. Haridy, Sebastian Pedalino, Vitaly V. Kresin

Institutions: University of Southern California, University of Vienna

Language: English

Topic: Electron and X-Ray Spectroscopy Techniques

Subfield: Surfaces, Coatings and Films

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, Division of Materials Research

Awards: Metal nanoclusters as size-resolved probes of quantum materials and phenomena, G827912502