Pulsed intense molecular beams controlled by pressure shock

The method of control of duration of intensive molecular beam pulses is suggested. The method is based on shortening of initial molecular beam pulse by formation of a pressure shock in front of a solid surface, through which the molecular beam passes. The experimental results on shortening of molecular beam pulses are presented. Using suggested method the molecular beams of H2, He, SF6 and SF6/H2(1/10), SF6/He(1/10) with duration of pulses ⩽10 μs were obtained, the extent of which in space are ⩽1–2 cm.