Measurement of electron-calcium ionization integral cross section using an ion trap with a low-energy, pulsed electron gun

TL;DR

This paper presents a new apparatus using a low-energy pulsed electron gun within an ion trap to measure ionization cross sections, specifically demonstrating its use for calcium in the 16-160 eV range, with results compared to existing data.

Contribution

It introduces a novel ion trap setup with a custom electron gun for measuring ionization cross sections, enabling access to ions and collisional data not easily obtainable before.

Findings

Measured calcium ionization cross sections in 16-160 eV range

Compared results with existing data sets and discussed discrepancies

Demonstrated feasibility of using the apparatus for various ionization studies

Abstract

An apparatus for production of various atomic and molecular ions inside a linear Paul trap has been set up. The system applies a custom-made, low energy, pulsed electron gun to produce ions in electron impact process. Such ionization method can find some interesting possible applications such as derivation of ions inaccessible other-ways, which can be used in molecular ion experiments. The technique allows also for determination of cross sections for various collisional processes. As a feasibility study, the apparatus was used for determination of ionization integral cross section of calcium in the 16--160 eV range of electron impact energy. The obtained cross section values are discussed and compared with existing data sets.