Energy deficit of pulsed-laser field-ionized and field-emitted ions from non-metallic nano-tips

The energy deficit of pulsed-laser field-evaporated ions and field-ionized atoms of an inert gas from the surface of a non-metallic nano-metric tip is reported as a function of the laser intensity, ion current, and temperature. A new model is proposed to explain these results, taking into account the resistive properties of non-metallic nano-tips. A good agreement between the theoretical predictions and the experimental results is obtained for all parameters investigated experimentally. This model is also used to discuss the evaporation behavior of oxides analyzed in laser-assisted atom probe tomography. New insight into the contribution of the electrostatic field and the laser illumination on the evaporation process of non-metallic materials is given. (C) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC.