A definition of a Potential Well

In summary, a potential well is a region in space where the potential is lower than in the neighborhood, allowing particles to become trapped if their energy is too low to escape. An increase in potential well means an increased depth of the potential well, achieved by increasing the positive potential on an electrode. This results in the particles being less compressed towards the center of the quadrupole trap. In contrast, a negative trapping potential creates a potential hill, causing repulsion rather than trapping.
  • #1
jonlg_uk
141
0
Hello I read the following sentence when reading about ion traps:

"By changing the trapping voltage we are changing the depth of the potential trapping well, therefore at the same axial position there is a corresponding increase in the potential well, which means that the ion will have to have greater kinetic energy to achieve the same axial amplitude"

I don't understand what a potential well is? Can anyone explain it in laymans terms for me?

I thank you in advance


J
 
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  • #2
A potential well is a region in space where the potential is lower than in the neighborhood. Particles can get trapped in these potential wells, if their energy is too low to escape (because the potential outside is too high).
 
  • #3
mfb said:
A potential well is a region in space where the potential is lower than in the neighborhood. Particles can get trapped in these potential wells, if their energy is too low to escape (because the potential outside is too high).

Thank you, but what does an increase in potential well mean?
 
  • #4
I think the text means an increased potential "outside", which is an increased depth of the potential well.
 
  • #5
mfb said:
I think the text means an increased potential "outside", which is an increased depth of the potential well.

Or increase in the 'depth' of the well? In the case of electrons that could just involve increasing the positive potential on an electrode (Deepening the well). It would probably have been better if the word 'magnitude' had been put after "increase" to avoid the 'up-ness' implied by the word and resolving any ambiguity.
 
  • #6
sophiecentaur said:
Or increase in the 'depth' of the well? In the case of electrons that could just involve increasing the positive potential on an electrode (Deepening the well). It would probably have been better if the word 'magnitude' had been put after "increase" to avoid the 'up-ness' implied by the word and resolving any ambiguity.

By "deepening the well" you mean that because the positive potential on the electrodes has increased the electrons are less compressed towards the center of the qudrupole trap?
 
  • #7
Basically:

what happens to the potential well as you make it more trapping potential more positive?

what happens to the potential well as you make it more trapping potential more negative?
 
  • #8
jonlg_uk said:
By "deepening the well" you mean that because the positive potential on the electrodes has increased the electrons are less compressed towards the center of the qudrupole trap?

jonlg_uk said:
Basically:

what happens to the potential well as you make it more trapping potential more positive?

what happens to the potential well as you make it more trapping potential more negative?

Absolute potential is defined for a unit positive charge but, for electrons and positive charges, the sums still give you a negative value of potential for an attractive field.
Afaik, the potential is defined as relative to a zero value at infinity so increasing the positive charge on an electrode (or increasing the positive voltage) would be regarded as making the well deeper. If your 'trapping potential' is negative then it is not a potential well for a negative charge; it is a potential Hill (repulsion). The Field will be the gradient of the potential.
 

What is a Potential Well?

A potential well is a concept in physics that describes a region in space where a particle experiences a force that pulls it towards a stable equilibrium point.

What is the significance of a Potential Well?

Potential wells play a crucial role in understanding the behavior of particles in various physical systems, such as atoms, molecules, and planets. They help explain the stability of these systems and how particles move within them.

How does a Potential Well work?

A potential well is created by a force field, such as gravity or electromagnetic force, that has a minimum energy point. Particles within this force field are attracted to the minimum energy point, creating a potential well. The deeper the well, the stronger the force and the more stable the system.

What are the different types of Potential Wells?

There are several types of potential wells, including harmonic, anharmonic, and Coulomb wells. Harmonic wells have a parabolic shape, while anharmonic wells have a more complex shape. Coulomb wells are created by the electric force between charged particles.

What are some real-world examples of Potential Wells?

Potential wells can be seen in a variety of natural and human-made systems. Some examples include the gravitational potential well of Earth, the energy levels of atoms and molecules, and even the potential well created by a cup of coffee, where the coffee particles are attracted to the bottom of the cup due to gravity.

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