Research

Physical Sciences

Title :

Development of a supersonic gas jet target for studying electron and laser-induced dynamics of atomic, molecular, and cluster targets

Area of research :

Physical Sciences

Focus area :

Atomic & Molecular Physics, Plasma Science

Principal Investigator :

Dr. Arnab Khan, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Timeline Start Year :

2023

Timeline End Year :

2025

Contact info :

Details

Executive Summary :

This project aims to design and construct a gas-jet target for multiparticle coincidence experiments using laser and electron beams. It also plans to partially perform collaborative experiments using existing facilities in India, such as TIFR, Mumbai. A well-defined, localized, and high-density target is crucial for scattering and half-scattering experiments. A supersonic gas jet is a natural choice for this purpose, as it creates a highly dense beam of particles, achieving better momentum resolution in coincidence momentum imaging experiments. Additionally, the internal cooling of the atomic or molecular beams reduces uncertainty in the initial momentum of recoil ions, increasing momentum resolution. The project aims to develop a two-stage supersonic gas-jet system that provides a cold, narrow, well-collimated dense beam of any gaseous system or other targets that can be converted into gas phase. This system will be combined with an electron-ion coincidence spectrometer to measure electron and laser-induced dynamics. The system will initially be used for small molecules or atoms, but the plan is to run for larger biomolecules or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) molecules, using helium carrier gas for larger molecules. Future experiments will include small molecular clusters and biomolecular clusters.

Total Budget (INR):

32,08,847

Organizations involved