Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge Massachusetts 02138, USA.
Phys Rev Lett. 2010 Apr 2;104(13):133002. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.133002. Epub 2010 Mar 31.
We observe the capture and field ionization of individual atoms near the side wall of a single suspended nanotube. Extremely large cross sections for ionization from an atomic beam are observed at modest voltages due to the nanotube's small radius and extended length. The effects of the field strength on both the atomic capture and the ionization process are clearly distinguished in the data, as are prompt and delayed ionizations related to the locations at which they occur. Efficient and sensitive neutral atom detectors can be based on the nanotube capture and wall ionization processes.
我们观察到单个悬浮纳米管侧壁附近单个原子的捕获和场致电离。由于纳米管的半径小且长度长,因此在中等电压下,从原子束中观察到极高的电离截面。数据中清楚地区分了场强对原子捕获和电离过程的影响,以及与它们发生位置相关的瞬时和延迟电离。高效灵敏的中性原子探测器可以基于纳米管捕获和壁电离过程。