Ion Formation from Alkali Iodide Solids by Swift Dust Particle Impact

Abstract

Abstract Swift Fe-dust particles (0.2-20 μmØ ; 1-50 km/s) are utilized to generate transiently ions from alkali iodide coated metal foils, analyzed by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. By means of a thermodynamic treatment it is shown that simple heating by the impact cannot be hold responsible for the ion formation. However, this process is very much related to the non-adiabatic ion formation by pulsed laser irradiation. The damage caused by the impact particle resulting in cratering and thermal effects, which are long-term processes, is not related to the instantaneous ion formation.