Mass selection of neutral clusters in Low-Energy Cluster Beam Deposition experiments: Is it realistic?

The crucial problem in controlling and filtering the size of free neutral clusters generated by a cluster source is studied in the particular case of the Sattler source type. The present work shows that a velocity selector can be used to control the size of neutral clusters produced in the low-energy cluster beam deposition system. This velocity selector is also used to measure the kinetic energy of free Bi clusters. The experimental results obtained for Bi clusters are compared with previous theoretical predictions.