A molecular-beam apparatus with a spray-jet technique for studying neutral non-volatile molecules

A molecular-beam apparatus has been newly constructed for studying neutral non-volatile molecules, consisting of (1) a sample inlet system with a supersonic nebulizer, an inlet chamber, and a pulsed nozzle, (2) a set of skimmers, and (3) a high-vacuum chamber in which pulsed-laser photoionization and mass detection are carried out. A heavy mist of sample solution is initially prepared with the nebulizer, and then stored in the inlet chamber, from which a molecular beam is ejected into vacuum through the pulsed nozzle and skimmers. In this report we want to emphasize several advantages of this technique and its broad applicability.