Laser-mass spectrometry study of ultra-dense protium p(−1) with variable time-of-flight energy and flight length

Ultra-dense materials with a density of >1028 cm−3 can probably only be formed by hydrogen atoms. Ultra-dense deuterium D(−1) is the first ultra-dense material discovered. The second ultra-dense material, ultra-dense protium p(−1) is now studied. This material is observed on a vertical laser target surface, creeping over the surface after being formed in a source of the same type as used for the production of D(−1). Time-of-flight (TOF) spectra and time-of-flight mass-spectra (TOF-MS) from laser-induced Coulomb explosions in p(−1) clusters on the surface are studied, with variation of the accelerating voltage between +500 V and −300 V. Simultaneous spectra observed at two different flight lengths differing by a factor of 11 show that the spectra are due to massive particles. p(−1) is not identical to D(−1) but has a more complex form, giving a p–p2 distance of 3.7 pm in p3 groups with in p(−1) clusters. Two theoretically supported p–p distances are observed at 2.3 pm, as for D(−1), and 5.0 pm.

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