Determination of molecular beam characteristics for condensable molecules by optical interferences

Abstract
A method is presented which allows the determination of the characteristics of effusive molecular beams formed by heavy molecules. It is based on condensing the beam molecules on a cooled metal surface and measuring the thickness of the condensed layer by means of interference when the layer is lighted with monochromatic light. The information about the beam characteristics is provided by the growth of the layer thickness. The results in the case of the investigated benzene beam are in agreement with the theoretical predictions of a model of molecular beam formation by effusive sources, as far as this model can be assumed to be correct.

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