11 research outputs found
Optimization of a Langmuir-Taylor detector for lithium
This paper describes the construction and optimization of a Langmuir-Taylor
detector for lithium, using a rhenium ribbon. The absolute detection
probability of this very sensitive detector is measured and the dependence of
this probability with oxygen pressure and surface temperature is studied.
Sources of background signal and their minimization are also discussed in
details. And a comparison between our data concerning the response time of the
detector and literature values is given. A theoretical analysis has been made:
this analysis supports the validity of the Saha-Langmuir law to relate the
ionization probability to the work function. Finally, the rapid variations of
the work function with oxygen pressure and temperature are explained by a
chemical equilibrium model.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, to appear in Rev. Sci. Instru
Structural and magnetic properties of Fe/Cr and Fe/Ag multilayers
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Modification of structure, electric and magnetic properties of epitaxially grown Ag(001)/Fe(001) superlattices
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Thermodynamics of deposition flux-dependent intrinsic film stress
Vapour deposition on polycrystalline films can lead to extremely high levels of compressive stress, exceeding even the yield strength of the films. A significant part of this stress has a reversible nature: it disappears when the deposition is stopped and re-emerges on resumption. Although the debate on the underlying mechanism still continues, insertion of atoms into grain boundaries seems to be the most likely one. However, the required driving force has not been identified. To address the problem we analyse, here, the entire film system using thermodynamic arguments. We find that the observed, tremendous stress levels can be explained by the flux-induced entropic effects in the extremely dilute adatom gas on the surface. Our analysis justifies any adatom incorporation model, as it delivers the underlying thermodynamic driving force. Counterintuitively, we also show that the stress levels decrease, if the barrier(s) for adatoms to reach the grain boundaries are decreased