VERITAS

Innovation

Ion beams are very important from the perspective of research and industry for their numerous applications ranging from material analysis to biomedical research [1]. The current trend in ion beam systems is to image, analyze, manipulate, and fabricate the target surfaces on smaller and smaller scales. The smallest possible probing area of an ion beams depends on its spot size, which itself is a function of the energy spread (or velocity spread) of ions [2]. As the energy spread is associated with the ionization process [2], the overall precision and efficiency of ion beam systems are limited. Few attempts have already been made in the past to reduce the energy spread by introducing changes to the ionization process [3], however, such solutions are source specific and could not be used across a wider range of ion sources.

Here, we propose a novel approach to mitigate the energy spread using intense chirped optical lattices. An optical lattice is a periodic array of trapping potentials in space created by the interference of two (or more) laser beams. For chirped optical lattices, the frequency of laser beams could be modulated over time [4]. Such a lattice has the ability to selectively grab the ions and accelerate or decelerate them. Exploiting this, one can narrow down the velocity distribution function (or energy spread) of ion beams. The implementation of the idea is possible with recent development in lasers systems [4] capable of delivering the laser intensities required for the scheme.

Impact

The proposed method does not directly influence the ionization process but is intended to be implemented externally of ionization region. It has the potential to be paired with all kinds of ion sources. Realization of the idea will enhance the ion beams parameters to make them a better fit for existing ion beam based instrumentation, improving their functionality at nanometer scale [1]. This will directly affect the eminent research trends of material analysis, semiconductors, energy materials based devices, and biomedical applications. And the study, in our best knowledge, is the first attempt to understand the interaction of chirped optical lattices with ion beams.

The VERITAS project can therefore have a considerable impact on our society, in particular concerning energy and environmental related topics.

References

1. N. Yao. Focused Ion Beam Systems: Basics and Applications. Cambridge University Press 2007.
2. J. Orloff et el. Handbook of Charged Particle Optics. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis, 2009.
3. M. P. Reijnders et al., Low-energy-spread ion bunches from a trapped atomic gas; Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 034802, 2019.
4. J. Bak, R. Randolph, and A. Gerakis, Dual color, frequency, pulse duration and shape agile laser system for particle spectroscopy and manipulation; Opt. Express 30, 41709-41723, 2022.