Flow system for the production of diatomic metal oxides and halides

A flow system for production of diatomic metal oxides and halides is described. Molecules are produced by reacting metal vapor in a flowing, inert gas with a suitable oxidizer. Product molecules are frequently formed in electronically excited states, making this system particularly useful for optical emission spectroscopic studies. Specific advantages are: (a) large number of reactant products; (b) little thermal excitation in the reaction region; (c) spectra uncluttered by emission from undesirable species; and (d) in many cases, formation of molecules in electronically excited states not produced or detected in other sources. Also discussed is a variation of the design which is used to produce small metallic particles. These particles are formed by homogeneous nucleation of the metal vapor and range in size from 5 to 500 nm.