X-ray spectroscopy of ion-surface interactions using superconducting tunnel junctions

Abstract

Abstract:We have conducted low energy X-ray spectroscopy of ion/surface interactions with superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) detectors. The STJ detectors (Nb-Al-AlOx-Al-Nb) developed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have a high energy resolution and a high count-rate capability. The detectors are operated in an adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator with 60 mK base temperature at the end of a 40 cm long cold finger, which can be inserted into a UHV sample chamber connected to an ion source. We have studied the interaction of Ar 9+ , O 7+ , N 6+ and C 5+ with various targets (Au, SiH and SiO 2 ) at a kinetic energy of 10 keV/q. The resolution of 12-15 eV below 1 keV allows the different satellite lines emitted by these ions to be separated.