Compact and mobile molecular beam surface scattering apparatus for use at major light sources

• Subject Area: Physical Chemistry
• Term: Funded in 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 374360553

Molecular beam surface scattering methods have led to many insights advancing our understanding of interactions of atoms and molecules at surfaces and our working group in Göttingen has been at the forefront of this field. Such experiments rely on high performance light sources to prepare and detect the colliding projectile atoms or molecules; up to now, table-top laser systems have been exclusively used for these purposes. Using free electron lasers (FEL) for molecular beam surface scattering experiments offers a fruitful new direction for research. Access to new spectral regions (in particular in the ultraviolet region - hv= 6-25 eV) allows many new experiments including: photolytic production of atoms and ionization based detection of molecules presently not detectable. Taking this step requires the development of the first molecular beam surface scattering instrument designed for mobility and compactness that can be easily transported to major light sources around the world. Our group’s experience with photolytic atom sources, ion imaging detection in surface scattering and all other aspects of molecular beam surface scattering methods allow us to accomplish this. This will allow us to extend our studies of atomic and molecular scattering at surfaces to new systems, leading to a deeper and more thorough understanding of the interactions of atoms and molecules at surfaces.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Compact and mobile molecular beam surface scattering apparatus for use at major light sources
• Instrumentation Group: 0920 Atom- und Molekularstrahl-Apparaturen
• Applicant Institution: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• Leader: Professor Dr. Alec Michael Wodtke