Non-destructive, absolute mass determination of sub-micrometer sized particles in a Paul-type trap

Journal Article · Fri Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 1999 · AIP Conference Proceedings

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.57485· OSTI ID:21207961

Schlemmer, Stephan; Illemann, Jens; Wellert, Stefan; Gerlich, Dieter ^[1]

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1. Institut fuer Physik, Gasentladungs- und Ionenphysik, Technical University of Chemnitz, 09107 Chemnitz (Germany)

A method for non-destructive determination of the mass of a single submicron particle under ultra high vacuum conditions is presented. In an electrodynamic quadrupole trap the eigenfrequencies, {omega}{sub r} and {omega}{sub z}, of the particle motion and thus its q/m is measured by recording the scattered light from a laser beam. This allows for online weighing and determination of the particles charge state. Electron bombardment changes the particle charge state in integral steps of elementary charges due to secondary electron emission. The emission yield has been determined event by event at two primary electron energies. In addition the absolute number of charges has been inferred from these measurements and, therefore, the particles absolute mass as well. A relative reproducibility of 3{center_dot}10{sup -4} over a period of several hours is achieved. Possible applications for this new technique such as the determination of sticking coefficients are mentioned.

• OSTI ID: 21207961
• Journal Information: AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 457, Issue 1; Conference: International conference on trapped charged particles and fundamental physics, Asilomar, CA (United States), 31 Aug - 4 Sep 1998; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.57485; (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CHARGE STATES
EIGENFREQUENCY
EIGENFUNCTIONS
EIGENVALUES
ELECTRON BEAMS
ELECTRON COLLISIONS
ELECTRON EMISSION
ELECTRONS
ERRORS
IONS
LASER RADIATION
MASS
MEASURING METHODS
PHOTON COLLISIONS
PHOTON EMISSION
QUADRUPOLES
QUARTZ
TRAPS