The extraction of Th-229(3+) from a buffer-gas stopping cell

Wense, L. von der; Seiferle, B.; Laatiaoui, M. and Thirolf, P. G. (2016): The extraction of Th-229(3+) from a buffer-gas stopping cell. In: Nuclear instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section B-Beam interactions With Materials and Atoms, Vol. 376: pp. 260-264

Abstract

In the whole landscape of atomic nuclei, Th-229 is currently the only known nucleus which could allow for the development of a nuclear-based frequency standard, as it possesses an isomeric state of just 7.6 eV energy above the ground state. The 3+ charge state is of special importance in this context, as Th3+ allows for a simple laser-cooling scheme. Here we emphasize the direct extraction of triply-charged Th-229 from a buffer-gas stopping cell. This finding will not only simplify any future approach of Th-229 ion cooling, but is also used for thorium-beam purification and in this way provides a powerful tool for the direct identification of the Th-229 isomer to ground state nuclear transition. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Physics
• Subjects: 500 Science > 530 Physics
• ISSN: 0168-583X
• Language: English