Inhomogeneous‐field stripper for field ionization detection and analysis of fast beams of highly excited atoms

摘要

A new device is described for detection, dispersion, and analysis of keV beams of highly excited atoms. Field‐ionization events are electrostatically tagged by inhomogeneous electric fields in a cylindrical geometry. State identification is based on the relationship between ionizing fields and atomic‐state quantum numbers. Calibration is accomplished by injecting fast beams of selectively excited Na atoms into the stripper. Application of the detector to measurement of charge transfer from Rydberg atoms is demonstrated.