The Munich microprobe SNAKE:: First results using 20 MeV protons and 90 MeV sulfur ions

The scanning ion microprobe called Superconducting Nanoscope for Applied nuclear (Kern) physics Experiments (SNAKE) is taken into operation at the Munich 15 MV tandem accelerator. During the first experiments 16 and 20 MeV protons as well as go MeV S-32 ions were used to test all equipments. With a reduced divergence of the beam, an overall lateral resolution of 700 nm was achieved by scanning a gold grid with a focused 90 MeV sulfur beam and detecting transmitted ions. However, some field distortions at full acceptance of the lens were detected which derive from mechanical problems at higher coil currents. In addition to the beam characterisation experiments several new detector systems were tested. Analysing the 90 MeV sulfur beam by a magnetic spectrograph behind the target chamber in transmission geometry, an overall relative energy width of 3.8 x 10(-5) fwhm was demonstrated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.