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Rice University

Penning ionization studies using a crossed-beam technique

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

A modulated crossed-beam apparatus for the investigation of Penning ionization at thermal energies has been designed and constructed. Details are given for the production of a beam of helium metastable atoms by electron impact excitation. The production of well-collimated neutral beams of stable species using multi-channel capillary arrays is analyzed, and preliminary measurements on the performance of one such array are presented. Production of atomic hydrogen by thermal dissociation of is H2 discussed. A detection system is described which collects product ions and separates those due to ionization of beam particles from those due to ionization of residual gas. Preliminary analysis of the appropriate operating conditions for the pulse counting system is presented. To determine the types and abundances of ions produced in He*-neutral collisions, a magnetic sector mass spectrometer has been designed. Extraction of the product ions from the interaction region and subsequent acceleration and steering of these ions through the spectrometer are analyzed.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Science
Level thesis:degree_level
Masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Natural Sciences
Grantor
Rice University
Year dc:date.issued
1971

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Howard, John Stephen
Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
  • Stebbings, R. F.

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
Language dc:language.iso
eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Handle dc:identifier.uri
https://hdl.handle.net/1911/90072
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/90072

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Rice University
Base URL
repository.rice.edu/server/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Howard, John Stephen. Penning ionization studies using a crossed-beam technique. Masters thesis, Rice University, 1971. https://hdl.handle.net/1911/90072