A -- MAGNETO-OPTICAL TRAP ION SOURCE (MOTIS)

DEVELOPMENTS AT NIST** This is NOT an announcement of a contract action or a grant. Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are working on the following technology. For further information, contact the: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Office of Technology Partnerships, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2200, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899; Fax: 301-975-3482. NIST DOCKET NUMBER: 07-015. The invention consists of a new source for creating a focused ion beam. A magneto-optical trap serves as a source of cold atoms that are photo ionized to produce the ion source. Under appropriate conditions, the resulting ion cloud has temperature and spatial characteristics similar to that of the initial neutral atom cloud. An external electric field extracts the ions which can be focused using standard charged-particle optics. The cold temperatures achieved through laser cooling yield an ion beam with excellent characteristics which should allow for a beam resolution of 10 nm or less. The current produced from this source depends on the operating parameters of the MOT and can range from single ions on demand to over 100 pA, a much wider range than is currently possible. In addition, the wide range of elements that can be laser cooled greatly extends the possibilities for ionic species that can be used in FIBs, The net result is a source that has improved characteristics as well as expanded capabilities over current technology.