Mainz 2017 – scientific programme
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A: Fachverband Atomphysik
A 33: Ultracold atoms and BEC - V (with Q)
A 33.2: Talk
Friday, March 10, 2017, 11:15–11:30, N 1
A deterministic ion source based on ultracold atoms — •Cihan Sahin, Jens Benary, Philipp Geppert, Andreas Müllers, and Herwig Ott — Technische Universität Kaiserslautern
An ion source with minimal energy spread and deterministic emission has many applications in basic research and technical applications including surface spectroscopy, ion implantation or ion interferometry.
We have developed an ion source based on 87Rb atoms confined in a magneto-optical trap. The atoms are ionized with a three photon scheme, built-up of infrared lasers. This results in a minimal energy transfer to the ionization fragments and reduces the electron background from the photoelectric effect.
To detect the electrons and ions, we currently use channel electron multipliers (CEM). The electron, registered within a few ns after ionization, is utilized for the deterministic operation of the ion source. The much slower ions are controlled by a gate electrode, which is by default blocking them. If an electron is registered, the gate is opened for a short time to let the corresponding ion pass.
Currently, we are able to operate the source with an ion rate from a few to 104 s−1 in gated mode, and 106 s−1 without gate operation. We discuss the results obtained so far including the statistical properties of our source.
In a next step, the ion CEM will be replaced with a position sensitive detector for ion momentum spectrocopy. Additionally, an adaptive ion optics upgrade may be used to manipulate ion trajectories in real time and allow for aberation corrections.