Method of physical separation of components of a molecular beam

Apparatus for physically separating components of a molecular beam with different masses and/or kinetic cross sections, comprising:

• main nozzle means for generating a molecular beam into a vacuum chamber;
• collimator means for skimming the beam generated by said main nozzle means;
• auxiliary nozzle means for injecting at least one auxiliary gas beam into the vacuum chamber in a direction to intersect the molecular beam and deflect the components of the molecular beam by varying degrees to separate them, said auxiliary nozzle means having at least one nozzle which is adjustable for adjusting the main axis of the auxiliary beam to provide maximum penetration of the molecular beam;
• and
• main catching means disposed in the path of the molecular beam and downstream of the place of intersection, said catching means having at least one inlet diaphragm and being adjustable with respect to the main axis of the molecular beam to catch the separated components.

Method for physically separating components of a molecular beam with different masses and/or kinetic cross sections, comprising:

• generating a molecular beam into a vacuum chamber;
• injecting at least one auxiliary gas beam into the vacuum chamber in a direction to intersect the molecular beam and deflect the components of the molecular beam by varying degrees to separate them;
• adjusting the main axis of the auxiliary beam to provide maximum penetration of the molecular beam;
• and
• catching the separated components of the molecular beam downstream of the place of intersection with adjustable catching means.