Note: A short-pulse high-intensity molecular beam valve based on a piezoelectric stack actuator

Abstract

Solenoid and piezoelectric disk valves, which are widely used to generate molecular beam pulses, still suffer from significant restrictions, such as pulse durations typically >50 μs, low repetition rates, and limited gas flows and operational times. Much of this arises owing to the limited forces these actuators can achieve. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a new pulsed valve based on a high-force piezoelectric stack actuator. We show here that operation with pulse durations as low as 20 μs and repetition rates up to 100 Hz can be easily achieved by operating the valve in conjunction with a commercial fast high-voltage switch. We outline our design and demonstrate its performance with molecular beam characterization via velocity map ion imaging.

Optimal beam sources for Stark decelerators in collision experiments: a tutorial review

“…We emphasize that our findings do not qualify or disqualify pulsed valves not used in this study. The experiments presented here do not include the latest developed piezo activated valves [ 44 ] or solenoid valves, for instance. Ultimately, optimally engineered pulsed valves should basically all give the same results: the beam is determined by the very fast opening and closing of the orifice, through which the gas should flow into vacuum unrestrictedly.…”

Real-time adjustable, 11 μs FWHM, >5 kHz, piezo electric pulsed atomic beam source

“…At least three unique piezo electric valve designs have been tested and published: Proch and Trickl [5], Irimia et al [6], and Abeysekera et al [7]. The history of piezo electric pulsed valves and their demonstrated performance are summarized in table I.…”

“…In addition to the technical advantages of our design, it is simple, and easy to construct and operate. [8] 1980 300 20 1 Cross and Valentini [9] 1981 100 750 14 Proch and Trickl [5] [10] 1989 150 1000 30 Irimia et al [6] 2009 7 5000 20-30 Proctor, Albert and Davis [11] 2010 60 1000 30 Abeysekera et al [7] 2014 20 100 6…”

Product Branching in the Low Temperature Reaction of CN with Propyne by Chirped-Pulse Microwave Spectroscopy in a Uniform Supersonic Flow

“…8,36 A broadband frequency chirp (in the 6090 GHz region) is broadcast into the pulsed uniform flow at a series of intervals after a laser fires to initiate the reaction. All molecules with a dipole moment and with rotational transitions in the scanned frequency range are polarized by the radiation.…”