Hamburg 2016 – scientific programme

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T: Fachverband Teilchenphysik

T 50: Neutrinomasse II

T 50.5: Talk

Tuesday, March 1, 2016, 17:45–18:00, VMP5 SR 0079

Tritium ions in the Source and Transport Section (STS) of KATRIN — •Manuel Klein for the KATRIN collaboration — Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

The KArlsruhe TRItium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment aims at the model independent measurement of the electron neutrino mass. It is designed for a neutrino mass sensitivity of 0.2 eV (90% CL) after three years of measurement time. KATRIN measures the end point of the tritium beta decay spectrum using a MAC-E filter and a Windowless Gaseous Tritium Source (WGTS). While neutral tritium gas molecules are pumped through the WGTS, the decay electrons are guided to the detector with a magnetic field. Tritium ions, however, also leave the WGTS following the magnetic field lines.

For KATRIN measurements it is imperative to prevent tritium ions from reaching the detector or the spectrometers, where they could decay and cause an indistinguishable background. Ion blocking measures are implemented by electric blocking potentials and electric dipoles to drift out trapped ions. Their effective operation will be tested during KATRIN commissioning measurements: The ion flux between STS and spectrometers can be measured with the Forward Beam Monitor (FBM). It offers a manipulator arm to introduce a detector into the flux tube. For ion detection, a Faraday Cup for the FBM is being designed and constructed.

Supported by BMBF (Ø5A14VK2) and by the Helmholtz Association.