Cluster size distributions in gas jets for different nozzle geometries

TL;DR

This study investigates how different nozzle geometries affect cluster size distributions in argon and xenon gas jets, revealing limitations of traditional scaling laws and enabling independent measurement of cluster parameters.

Contribution

It demonstrates that nozzle geometry significantly influences cluster formation and shows that Hagena scaling often deviates from experimental data, proposing alternative measurement approaches.

Findings

Nozzle geometry impacts cluster size distributions.

Hagena scaling can significantly deviate from observed data.

Independent measurement of cluster size and density is possible.

Abstract

Cluster size distributions were investigated in case of different nozzle geometries in argon and xenon using Rayleigh scattering diagnostics. Different nozzle geometries result in different behaviour, therefore both spatial- and temporal cluster size distributions were studied to obtain a well-characterized cluster target. It is shown that the generally used Hagena scaling can result in a significant deviation from the observed data and the behaviour cannot be described by a single material condensation parameter. The results along with the nanoplasma model applied to the data of previous high harmonic generation experiments allow the independent measurement of cluster size and cluster density.