High-intensity multi-purpose piezoelectric pulsed molecular beam source

A piezoelectric valve is described which delivers intense gas pulses limited by the nozzle for diameters of up to 1.0 mm. Minimum pulse lengths between 0.15 and 0.25 ms (fwhm) are obtained at full opening, depending on the nozzle size. The upper limit of the repetition rate is near 1 kHz. The valve and its modifications meet almost all experimental requirements. In particular, ways of operating in a wide temperature range are outlined. Reliable operation with a remote nozzle at 77 K was recently demonstrated. Nozzle temperatures of more than 1000 K should be possible with a similar setup