Dynamic properties of ion guiding through nanocapillaries in an insulating polymer

Abstract

We studied the dynamic properties of ion guiding through nanocapillaries in insulating polyethylene terephthalate. The angular distribution of the transmitted ions was measured as a function of the charge deposited on the sample surface, which is a measure of time. The time evolution of the angular transmission profiles was acquired for the capillary diameters of 200 and $400\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$. The tilt angle was varied from 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 6.5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. The transmission profiles appear as a superposition of essentially three localized peaks which exhibit significant changes in intensity as time varies. This observation provides evidence for the formation of temporary charge patches produced in the interior of the capillary besides the primary charge patch created in the entrance region.