Hannover 2020 – scientific programme
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A: Fachverband Atomphysik
A 14: Poster Session - Atomic Physics II
A 14.16: Poster
Tuesday, March 10, 2020, 16:00–18:00, Empore Lichthof
Ion trap system for sympathetic cooling of 229Th3+ ions — •Gregor Zitzer, Johannes Thielking, David-Marcel Meier, Maksim Okhapkin, and Ekkehard Peik — Physikalisch-Technsiche Bundesanstalt, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
The energy determination of the low-energy 229Th nuclear isomer is progressing and the latest results indicate an energy value of 8.3 eV [1]. The corresponding VUV transition wavelength is accessible for direct laser excitation of the nucleus. This is of special interest for a novel type of optical clocks, providing an elevated accuracy and a unique sensitivity for tests of fundamental physics in the hadron sector.
The charge state 3+ for 229Th is preferred for a potential clock system with laser-cooled ions where one can benefit from the relatively simple and convenient electronic level structure.
We have set up an ion trap system for Th3+ ions sympathetically cooled with 88Sr+ for experiments with large Coulomb crystals, precision hyperfine spectroscopy and future clock operation. The trap system consists of a multi-segmented linear radiofrequency ion trap in which we are able to load, cool and store the Sr+ crystals. In these crystals, 229Th3+ will be localized close to the trap axis, inside a tubular shell of Sr+ ions. The 229Th3+ ions will be generated by a 233U source via α-decay [2] and guided towards the Paul trap. The current status of the Th loading and trapping system will be presented.
[1] B. Seiferle et al., Nature, 573, 243-246 (2019) [2] L. v. d. Wense et al., Nature, 533, 47-51 (2016)