Hannover 2016 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 2: Ultracold Atoms, Ions and Molecules I (with A)
Q 2.5: Talk
Monday, February 29, 2016, 12:00–12:15, e001
All-optical Atom Trap Trace Analysis for Rare Krypton Isotopes — •Pablo Woelk1, Markus Kohler1, Carsten Sieveke1, Simon Hebel1, Peter Sahling1, Christoph Becker2, and Klaus Sengstock2 — 1Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker Centre for Science and Peace Research, University of Hamburg, Beim Schlump 83, 20144 Hamburg — 2Institut für Laser-Physik, University of Hamburg, 22761 Hamburg
The isotope Krypton-85 is an excellent indicator for the detection of nuclear reprocessing activities. However, for the analysis of atmospheric air samples, sensitive measuring methods down to the single atom level are required because of the small concentrations. Furthermore, for a practical and effective detection of clandestine reprocessing, small sample sizes and a high sample throughput rate are desirable.
Established methods using Atom Trap Trace Analysis (ATTA) allow high sensitivity but have a limited throughput of about 200 samples per year, since the vacuum chambers have to be flushed for several hours after each measurement to avoid cross contamination due to the RF-driven excitation of metastable states.
Here we present an enhanced ATTA apparatus, which in contrast to the established methods, produces metastable Kr all-optically. This avoids cross contamination, therefore allowing a much higher throughput rate. The apparatus is based on a self-made VUV-lamp and a 2D-3D magneto-optical trap setup. In the 2D trap metastable krypton is produced and a beam of atoms is formed by Doppler-cooling simultaneously.