X-ray diffractive imaging of highly ionized helium nanodroplets
Finding the lowest energy configuration of N unit charges on a sphere, known as Thomson's problem, is a long-standing query which has only been studied via numerical simulations. We present its physical realization using multiply charged He nanodroplets. The charge positions are determined by...
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Published in: | Physical review research Vol. 4; no. 2; p. L022063 |
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Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |
Format: | Journal Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
United States
American Physical Society
01-06-2022
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Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Finding the lowest energy configuration of N unit charges on a sphere, known as Thomson's problem, is a long-standing query which has only been studied via numerical simulations. We present its physical realization using multiply charged He nanodroplets. The charge positions are determined by x-ray coherent diffractive imaging with Xe as a contrast agent. In neutral droplets, filaments resulting from Xe atoms condensing on quantum vortices are observed. Unique to charged droplets, however, Xe clusters that condense on charges are distributed on the surface in lattice-like structures, introducing He droplets as experimental model systems for the study of Thomson's problem. |
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Bibliography: | USDOE AC02-05CH11231 |
ISSN: | 2643-1564 2643-1564 |
DOI: | 10.1103/PhysRevResearch.4.L022063 |