VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPY OF CLUSTERS USING A MAGNETIC BOTTLE ELECTRONSPECTROMETER

The design of a high resolution ''magnetic-bottle''-type time-of-fligh t electron spectrometer suitable for the study of mass-separated metal and semiconductor cluster anions is described. A high collection effi ciency is achieved by using magnetic fields to guide the photoelectron s, so that vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra can be recorde d at a low laser pulse energy (<10 mu J focused to 1 mm(2)) avoiding m ultiphoton processes. Spectra of clusters with a very low relative abu ndance, for example the products of chemical reactions involving clust ers, can be recorded and an energy resolution of 6 meV (48 cm(-1)) ach ieved. (C) 1995 American Institute of Physics.