Project: Atoms, Molecules and Ions sources
In collaboration with R. Dainéche (IM2NP alboratory), we are developing a new type of source of atoms, molecules and ions. Our sources are made of a stretched capillary in the shape of a nano-pipette. The end of the stretched part constitutes the basic element of our source with a size of few tens nanometers or even a few nanometers. The interior of the capillary has been beforehand charged with material constituting the source of atoms or molecules. Heating the capillary create a vapor inside the capillary which escape by the end of stretched part. A polarization of the material inserted in the capillary also allows, by ionization, to realize ion sources. These small size sources can on the one hand constitute very bright sources and on the other hand allow, if they are integrated into sub-micrometer positioners, to consider applications in the elaboration of structures at a scale of the same order of magnitude as the size of the orifice of the nano-pipette (a few tens of nanometers, even a few nanometers).
