Cluster size determination using shadowgraphy measurements

Abstract

Cluster-jet beams offer a wide variety of possible applications. The advantages of an internal and windowless cluster-jet target make it suitable for many experiments. It is important to know all the properties of the cluster-jet to prepare it for the desired conditions of the respective experiments. An essential property is the size of the clusters and their size distribution. To investigate the size of the clusters shadowgraphy measurements are performed. This article provides an overview of the shadowgraphy method and presents first results of these analyses using hydrogen clusters. These show an average cluster size of a few micrometers, which will also be of high interest, besides the here shown laser cluster interaction, for other installations using cluster beams.