Time evolution of ion guiding through nanocapillaries in a PET polymer

We measured the time evolution of the guided transmission of 3 keV Ne(7+) ions through nanocapillaries in insulating PET polymers. Capillaries with a diameter of 200 nm and a density of 4 x 10(6) cm(-2) were used. 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 evolution of the angular transmission profiles was acquired for different tilt angles ranging from 0 degrees to 5 degrees. The transmission profiles appear as a superposition of essentially 3 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. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.