Work

Generation of picosecond ion pulses using laser-stimulated desorption from a tungsten nanotip

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We present an experimental approach to the formation of sub-100 ps ion pulses at 4.5 − 8.5 keV energies using laser-stimulated desorption from a tungsten nanotip at room temperature. The illumination of the tip apex with femtosecond ultraviolet laser pulses results in the ionization of adsorbed atomic and molecular species through the enhancement of a localized electric field. Unlike photoionization of atoms and molecules in the gas phase in extended volumes, determined by a typical laser focal volume, our approach naturally exploits a nanometric ionization region from tungsten nanotips with tip radii of 15 − 150 nm and operates at a moderate optical fluence of 10 11 W / cm 2 . Time-of-flight measurements demonstrate stable and well-timed ion pulses. A systematic exploration of the ion pulse characteristics on laser parameters and loading gas pressures has been conducted. Our compact, yet simple, source design renders time-resolved ion-solid interaction studies practically possible, paving the way for future pump-probe studies.

Source: Physical Review Research

DOI: 10.1103/7wdx-97pf

Authors: Alexander Redl, Markus Goldberger, Christoph Pachlinger, Franz I. Pfanner, Richard A. Wilhelm

Institutions: TU Wien, California Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Laser-Matter Interactions and Applications

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,625

Funder: Austrian Science Fund