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Title: Technique for determination of the metastable fraction of multicharged ion beams

Journal Article · · Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1139800· OSTI ID:5062419

This article presents a simple method for absolute determination of the metastable content of a multicharged ion beam. The method takes advantage of the efficient neutralization of highly charged ions at metal surfaces. Filling of projectile inner shell vacant states occurs in part by Auger decay, leading to a characteristic projectile peak in the electron emission spectrum. The appearance of this peak is, therefore, a direct signature of either the existence of the corresponding vacancy in the incident projectile beam, or of a production process for this vacancy in the interaction. The role of the latter is determined by the use of Li-like projectiles, which have no metastable states. The method is calibrated by measuring the intensity of the ''projectile peak'' for a beam known to contain this vacancy. Using this method the metastable content of N/sup 5 +/ , O/sup 6 +/ , Ar/sup 8 +/ , and Ar/sup 7 +/ beams from the ORNL electron cyclotron resonance ion source has been determined.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
5062419
Journal Information:
Rev. Sci. Instrum.; (United States), Vol. 59:6
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English