Application of a static quadrupole deviator to the deposition of size-selected cluster ions from a laser vaporization source

An electrostatic quadrupole deviator is used to separate charged from neutral clusters produced by a laser vaporization source. Because of their rather constant velocity, this device which is basically an energy selector also acts as an efficient mass filter. We have simulated and studied its capability to generate beams of size-selected charged clusters. Typical beam currents of a few tens of pA allow the formation of two-dimensional cluster deposits within a few minutes. Platinum and indium clusters are deposited on electron microscopy grids coated with an amorphous carbon film. For low-density assemblies of particles in the nanometer range, size histograms are discussed in relation with the mass selectivity of the apparatus. An upper limit for the dispersion of selected cluster diameters is found to be of the order of +/-8% which is at least five times better than the dispersion of neutral species. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.