A velocity map imaging spectrometer for measuring absolute differential cross sections for ion-induced electron emission from molecules

In this paper, we present a newly developed crossed beam experimental setup that utilizes the velocity map imaging (VMI) technique to simultaneously measure both the kinetic energy and emission angle of electrons emitted from atoms or molecules upon ion collision. The projectile ion beam with keV to MeV kinetic energy orthogonally crosses the neutral target beam produced by an effusion cell. The emitted electrons are extracted and analyzed by a multi-electrode VMI spectrometer. By monitoring the target density, the projectile ion beam intensity, and the beams' overlap, we are able to measure absolute differential cross sections for collision-induced electron emission from molecules. The characterization of the setup and the methodology will be presented as well as first results for electron emission from uracil upon 0.98 MeV/u ¹²C⁴⁺ collision.

A new setup for localized implantation and live-characterization of keV energy multiply charged ions at the nanoscale

An innovative experimental setup, PELIICAEN, allowing the modification of materials and the study of the effects induced by multiply charged ion beams at the nanoscale is presented. This ultra-high vacuum (below 5 × 10^-10 mbar) apparatus is equipped with a focused ion beam column using multiply charged ions and a scanning electron microscope developed by Orsay Physics, as well as a scanning probe microscope. The dual beam approach coupled to the scanning probe microscope achieves nanometer scale in situ topological analysis of the surface modifications induced by the ion beams. Preliminary results using the different on-line characterization techniques to study the formation of nano-hillocks on silicon and mica substrates are presented to illustrate the performances of the setup.

Interatomic Coulombic decay as a new source of low energy electrons in slow ion-dimer collisions

We provide the experimental evidence that the single electron capture process in slow collisions between O^{3+} ions and neon dimer targets leads to an unexpected production of low-energy electrons. This production results from the interatomic Coulombic decay process, subsequent to inner-shell single electron capture from one site of the neon dimer. Although pure one-electron capture from the inner shell is expected to be negligible in the low collision energy regime investigated here, the electron production due to this process overtakes by 1 order of magnitude the emission of Auger electrons by the scattered projectiles after double-electron capture. This feature is specific to low charge states of the projectile: similar studies with Xe^{20+} and Ar^{9+} projectiles show no evidence of inner-shell single-electron capture. The dependence of the process on the projectile charge state is interpreted using simple calculations based on the classical over the barrier model.

Atomic site-sensitive processes in low energy ion-dimer collisions

Electron capture processes for low energy Ar(9+) ions colliding with Ar(2) dimer targets are investigated, focusing attention on charge sharing between the two Ar atoms as a function of the molecular orientation and the impact parameter. A preference for charge-asymmetric dissociation channels is observed, with a strong correlation between the projectile scattering angle and the molecular ion orientation. The measurements here provide clear evidence that projectiles distinguish each atom in the target and that electron capture from near-site atoms is favored. Monte Carlo calculations based on the classical over-the-barrier model, with dimer targets represented as two independent atoms, are compared to the data. They give new insight into the dynamics of the collision by providing, for the different electron capture channels, the two-dimensional probability maps p(b), where b is the impact parameter vector in the molecular frame.

Formations of dumbbell C118 and C119 inside clusters of C60 molecules by collision with α particles

We report highly selective covalent bond modifications in collisions between keV alpha particles and van der Waals clusters of C(60) fullerenes. Surprisingly, C(119)(+) and C(118)(+) are the dominant molecular fusion products. We use molecular dynamics simulations to show that C(59)(+) and C(58)(+) ions--effectively produced in prompt knockout processes with He(2+)--react rapidly with C(60) to form dumbbell C(119)(+) and C(118)(+). Ion impact on molecular clusters in general is expected to lead to efficient secondary reactions of interest for astrophysics. These reactions are different from those induced by photons.

First measurement of pure electron shakeoff in the β decay of trapped 6He+ ions

The electron shakeoff probability of 6Li2+ ions resulting from the β- decay of 6He+ ions has been measured with high precision using a specially designed recoil ion spectrometer. This is the first measurement of a pure electron shakeoff following nuclear β decay, not affected by multielectron processes such as Auger cascades. In this ideal textbook case for the application of the sudden approximation, the experimental ionization probability was found to be P(so)(exp)=0.02339(36) in perfect agreement with simple quantum mechanical calculations.

Ions colliding with cold polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon clusters

We report the first experimental study of ions interacting with clusters of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules. Collisions between 11.25 keV 3He+ or 360 keV 129Xe20+ and weakly bound clusters of one of the smallest PAH molecules, anthracene, show that C14H10 clusters have much higher tendencies to fragment in ion collisions than other weakly bound clusters. The ionization is dominated by peripheral collisions in which the clusters, very surprisingly, are more strongly heated by Xe20+ collisions than by He+ collisions. The appearance size is k=15 for [C ₁₄H₁₀](k)2+.

Latest developments at GANIL for stable and radioactive ion beam production

In the frame of the SPIRAL II (Système de Production d'Ions Radioactifs Accélérés en Ligne Partie II) project, several developments of stable and radioactive ion production systems have been started up. In parallel, GANIL has the ambition to preserve the existing stable and radioactive beams and also to increase its range by offering new ones. In order to identify the best directions for this development, a new group called GANISOL has been formed. Its preliminary conclusions and the latest developments at GANIL are presented.

Development of a surface ionization source for the SPIRAL 2 project

Development of new radioactive beams, and thus of new target ion sources (TISs) for isotope-separator-on-line production systems are in progress at GANIL for the SPIRAL 2 project. The efficiency and time response measurements of each step in the production process are crucial to predict and maximize the available yields, in particular, for short lived isotopes. This paper presents a method for measuring these quantities that makes use of a stable alkali chopped beam of controlled intensity. This method was applied to surface ionization source test for high efficiency. Results of recent experiments are presented that include ionization efficiency measurements for Cs, Rb, K, Na, and Li with a graphite and rhenium ionizer and dwell time of these alkalis on graphite. The results enabled to design a first surface ionization source prototype which will be installed in the SPIRAL 2 TIS.

Direct 1+ --> N+ conversion of stable alkali ions using an electron cyclotron resonance ion source

The production of radioactive ions using the Isotope Separation On-Line method gives rise, in most cases, to singly charged ions. In order to perform experiments with postaccelerated radioactive ion beams, these ions have to be multicharged. We describe here a new compact design for a charge breeder that will be coupled to the production target of SPIRAL1 at GANIL. We present recent results obtained offline with stable alkali ions (Na, K, Rb, and Cs) on the SIRa test bench. Particularly, 1(+) to N(+) conversion efficiencies and conversion times are presented. Several points have been identified for the improvements of the present performances.

Paul trapping of radioactive 6He+ ions and direct observation of their beta decay

We demonstrate that abundant quantities of short-lived beta unstable ions can be trapped in a novel transparent Paul trap and that their decay products can directly be detected in coincidence. Low energy 6He+ (807 ms half-life) ions were extracted from the SPIRAL source at GANIL, then decelerated, cooled, and bunched by means of the buffer gas cooling technique. More than 10(8) ions have been stored over a measuring period of six days, and about 10(5) decay coincidences between the beta particles and the 6Li++ recoiling ions have been recorded. The technique can be extended to other short-lived species, opening new possibilities for trap assisted decay experiments.