Abstract

Nanocluster as Energy Bank for Generation of Multiply Charged Atomic Ions

Rajesh K Vatsa, Professor and Head, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

Highly charged ions are useful for modification of material properties for use in the fabrication of thin film (nanoscale) electronic devices, and generation of monoenergetic x-rays for use in biomedicine. There are potential applications of the relatively large amounts of potential energy possessed by multiply charged ions. Conversion of such energy into other forms of energy might find utility in future. Special ionisation sources are required to create highly charged ions [1,2]. In this presentation, we show a simple way of generating highly charged ions using atomic and molecular Van der Waals nanoclusters. Further, it is shown that average charge state can be controlled externally by manipulating the experimental conditions. The experimental results show that by appropriate selection of the ionizing conditions, ion yields can be enhanced by a factor 100. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry and total chare density measurement results will be presented and discussed in the light of transient nanoplasma formation during laser-matter interaction.