Generation of intense pulsed low-kinetic-energy molecular beams

A method for the generation of intense pulsed low-kinetic-energy molecular beams is described. The method is based on the formation of a cold (≅77 K) pressure shock as a result of interaction between an intense pulsed gas-dynamically cooled molecular beam with a solid surface. The pressure shock is used as a source of a secondary beam for generating low-energy molecules. The suggested method was used to obtain intense molecular beams of H2 , He, CH4 , N2 , and Kr with kinetic energies lower than or equal to 10 meV and H2 /Kr and He/Kr molecular beams with kinetic energies of H2 and He molecules lower than 1 meV. The energy (velocity) of molecules in low-energy beams can be controlled by varying the intensity of the initial beam or temperature in the pressure shock