0000000000011213
AUTHOR
Dirk Schwalm
The neutron-rich Mg isotopes: first results from MINIBALL at REX-ISOLDE
After the successful commissioning of the Radioactive beam EXperiment (REX) at ISOLDE (CERN) in 2002, first physics experiments were performed in 2003 which focussed on the neutron-rich Mg isotopes in the vicinity of the “island of inversion”. After introducing the REX facility and the modern γ spectrometer MINIBALL first preliminary results will be presented showing the high potential and physics opportunities offered by this new radioactive beam facility.
Test of Time Dilation Using StoredLi+Ions as Clocks at Relativistic Speed
We present the concluding result from an Ives-Stilwell-type time dilation experiment using 7Li+ ions confined at a velocity of β=v/c=0.338 in the storage ring ESR at Darmstadt. A Λ-type three-level system within the hyperfine structure of the 7Li+3S1 →3P2 line is driven by two laser beams aligned parallel and antiparallel relative to the ion beam. The lasers' Doppler shifted frequencies required for resonance are measured with an accuracy of <4×10(-9) using optical-optical double resonance spectroscopy. This allows us to verify the special relativity relation between the time dilation factor γ and the velocity β, γ√1-β2=1 to within ±2.3×10(-9) at this velocity. The result, which is singled …
Towards laser cooling of fast Be+ ions in the storage ring TSR
Publisher Summary This chapter presents a clear understanding of laser-ion interactions under storage ring conditions to prepare the basis of laser cooling of fast-stored ion beams. In addition, the method of laser-induced fluorescence provides precise data for beam properties such as absolute velocity, momentum spread, and lifetime. 9Be+ ions stored in a heavy-ion storage ring are a promising species for laser cooling down to temperatures several orders of magnitude less than those reached for protons by electron cooling at the Novosibirsk ring. Short cooling times and microkelvin temperatures can be envisaged, where the structure of the ion beam is dominated by Coulomb repulsion. The chap…
Test of Time Dilation Using Stored Li+ Ions as Clocks at Relativistic Speed
We present the concluding result from an Ives-Stilwell-type time dilation experiment using 7Li+ ions confined at a velocity of β=v/c=0.338 in the storage ring ESR at Darmstadt. A Λ-type three-level system within the hyperfine structure of the 7Li+3S1 → 3P2 line is driven by two laser beams aligned parallel and antiparallel relative to the ion beam. The lasers’ Doppler shifted frequencies required for resonance are measured with an accuracy of 2=1 to within ±2.3×10−9 at this velocity. The result, which is singled out by a high boost velocity β, is also interpreted within Lorentz invariance violating test theories.
A test of special relativity with stored lithium ions
Laser spectroscopy at the heavy ion storage ring TSR in Heidelberg allows for precision experiments testing the limits of the special theory of relativity. With an opticalΛ-type three-level system of7Li+ the Doppler shift has been measured by saturation spectroscopy as a test of the time dilatation factor γ = (1 −β2)−1/2 at an ion velocity ofυ = 6.4% c. A precision ofΔν/ν < 9 × 10−9 has been obtained, which sets a second-order limit of 1.1 × 10−6 for any deviation from the time dilatation factor. The fourth-order limit of this deviation is set below 2.7 × 10−4 by the present experiment. These limits are given at a 1 σ confidence level.
Toward a New Test of the Relativistic Time Dilation Factor by Laser Spectroscopy of Fast Ions in a Storage Ring
The frequency measurement of Doppler-shifted optical lines of ions circulating in a storage ring at high speed permits a sensitive test of the relativistic Doppler-formula and, hence, the time dilation factor γSR of special relativity. Previous measurements at the storage ring TSR with 7Li+ at v = 0.065c gave a new, improved limit, but were hampered by the large observed linewidth, exceeding the natural width 15-fold. Recently we have identified the broadening to be caused by velocity-changing processes in the storage ring. Saturation spectroscopy has proven to be largely immune against these effects and has yielded linewidths only a few MHz larger than the natural one. This is the major in…
Testing Time Dilation on Fast Ion Beams
We report the status of an experimental test of time dilation in Special Relativity. This is accomplished by simultaneously measuring the forward and backward Doppler shifts of an electronic transition of fast moving ions, using high-precision laser spectroscopy. From these two Doppler shifts both the ion velocity ? = v/c and the time dilation factor can be derived. From measurements based on saturation spectroscopy on lithium ions stored at ? = 0.03 and ? = 0.06 in the TSR heavy-ion storage ring, we achieved an upper limit for a [?2] deviation from Special Relativity of . In recent measurements on a ? = 0.34 Li+ beam in the ESR storage ring we used optical-optical double-resonance spectros…
Test of relativistic time dilation with fast optical atomic clocks at different velocities
Time dilation is one of the most fascinating aspects of special relativity as it abolishes the notion of absolute time. It was first observed experimentally by Ives and Stilwell in 1938 using the Doppler effect. Here we report on a method, based on fast optical atomic clocks with large, but different Lorentz boosts, that tests relativistic time dilation with unprecedented precision. The approach combines ion storage and cooling with optical frequency counting using a frequency comb. 7Li+ ions are prepared at 6.4% and 3.0% of the speed of light in a storage ring, and their time is read with an accuracy of 2×10−10 using laser saturation spectroscopy. The comparison of the Doppler shifts yield…
First Determination of the Ionization Potential of Actinium and First Observation of Optical Transitions in Ferminm
For the determination of the first ionization potential of actinium, 227Ac was electrodeposited on a Ta backing and covered with ~1 μm Zr. From this filament, Ac atoms were evaporated at ≥ 1250 °C. By resonant excitation with UV light of 388.67 nm and subsequent excitation with light of ca. 568 nm, Ac was ionized in an external electrical field. By determining the ionization thresholds as a function of the electrical field strength and by extrapolation to zero field strength, the first ionization potential of 43398(3) cm−1 = 5.3807(3) eV was measured.About 1 ng of 255Fm, half life 20.1 h, was prepared at ORNL by milking from 255Es produced in the High Flux Isotope Reactor and shipped to Mai…
Transverse laser cooling of a radio-frequency bunched ion beam in the storage ring TSR
Abstract We report on the observation of the indirect transverse laser cooling effect in a radio-frequency bunched beam of 7.3 MeV 9 Be + ions, stored in the Heidelberg Test Storage Ring and subject to direct longitudinal laser cooling. This bunched scheme offers particular advantages for producing ultracold beams with unprecedented phase-space densities.
“Safe” Coulomb Excitation ofMg30
We report on the first radioactive beam experiment performed at the recently commissioned REX-ISOLDE facility at CERN in conjunction with the highly efficient γ spectrometer MINIBALL. Using Mg-30 ions accelerated to an energy of 2.25 MeV/u together with a thin Ni-nat target, Coulomb excitation of the first excited 2(+) states of the projectile and target nuclei well below the Coulomb barrier was observed. From the measured relative deexcitation γ-ray yields the B(E2;0(gs)(+)R 2(1)(+)) value of Mg-30 was determined to be 241(31)e(2) fm(4). Our result is lower than values obtained at projectile fragmentation facilities using the intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation method, and confirms the …
Sub-Barrier Coulomb Excitation ofSn110and Its Implications for theSn100Shell Closure
The first excited 2(+) state of the unstable isotope Sn-110 has been studied in safe Coulomb excitation at 2.82 MeV/u using the MINIBALL array at the REX-ISOLDE post accelerator at CERN. This is the first measurement of the reduced transition probability of this state using this method for a neutron deficient Sn isotope. The strength of the approach lies in the excellent peak-to-background ratio that is achieved. The extracted reduced transition probability, B(E2 : 0(+) -> 2(+)) 0.220 +/- 0.022e(2) b(2), strengthens the observation of the evolution of the B(E2) values of neutron deficient Sn isotopes that was observed recently in intermediate-energy Coulomb excitation of Sn-108. It implies …
Coulomb Excitation of Neutron-Rich Zn Isotopes: First Observation of the21+State inZn80
Neutron-rich, radioactive Zn isotopes were investigated at the Radioactive Ion Beam facility REX-ISOLDE (CERN) using low-energy Coulomb excitation. The energy of the 2(1)+ state in 78Zn could be firmly established and for the first time the 2+ --> 0(1)+ transition in 80Zn was observed at 1492(1) keV. B(E2,2(1)+ --> 0(1)+) values were extracted for (74,76,78,80)Zn and compared to large scale shell model calculations. With only two protons outside the Z=28 proton core, 80Zn is the lightest N=50 isotone for which spectroscopic information has been obtained to date. Two sets of advanced shell model calculations reproduce the observed B(E2) systematics. The results for N=50 isotones indicate a g…
Investigation of the Li9+H2→Li8+t reaction at REX-ISOLDE
The one-neutron transfer reaction Li-9 + H-2 -> Li-8 + t has been investigated in an inverse kinematics experiment by bombarding a deuterated polypropylene target with a 2.36 MeV/u Li-9 beam from the post-accelerator REX-ISOLDE at CERN. Excitation energies in Li-8 as well as angular distributions of the tritons were obtained and spectroscopic factors deduced. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Improved test of time dilation in special relativity.
An improved test of time dilation in special relativity has been performed using laser spectroscopy on fast ions at the heavy-ion storage-ring TSR in Heidelberg. The Doppler-shifted frequencies of a two-level transition in 7 Li + ions at v = 0.064c have been measured in the forward and backward direction to an accuracy of Δν/ν = 1 × 10 - 9 using collinear saturation spectroscopy. The result confirms the relativistic Doppler formula and sets a new limit of 2.2 × 10 - 7 for deviations from the time dilation factor γ S R = (1 - ν 2 /c 2 ) - 1 / 2 .
Status of REX-ISOLDE
REX-ISOLDE [1] is a post-accelerator situated at the ISOLDE radioactive ion beam facility placed at CERN, Geneva. It’s main aim is to increase the energy of light (A < 50) radioactive ions from 60 keV to 0.8–2.2MeV/u. REX—ISOLDE uses a new concept of post-acceleration of radioactive ion beams by using charge breeding of the ions in a high charge state ion source and the efficient acceleration of the highly charged ions in a short LINAC using modern ion accelerator structures. In a first step the radioactive ions are captured in a large gas-filled Penning trap. The task is to accumulate, cool and bunch the beam and prepare it for the injection into an electron beam ion source (EBIS). Cooling…
Ion beam preparation of 7Li+ for precision experiments at heavy ion storage rings
Abstract Heavy ion storage rings allow for tests of the structure of local space time via the Doppler effect. At the TSR/Heidelberg an experiment with high resolution laser spectroscopy at 7 Li + is performed. To gain the maximum resolution for saturation spectroscopy new methods of relativistic ion beam preparation and diagnostics have been developed. The laser cooling of the beam allows for precision determination of the mean velocity of the ions. A novel phase synchronous detection scheme, ultimately sensitive to single ions, gives insights into the cooling mechanism and dynamics. With an additional synchronous excitation scheme systematic uncertainties of the test experiment can be dras…
Coulomb Excitation ofCu68,70: First Use of Postaccelerated Isomeric Beams
We report on the first low-energy Coulomb excitation measurements with radioactive Ipi=6- beams of odd-odd nuclei 68,70Cu. The beams were produced at ISOLDE, CERN and were post-accelerated by REX-ISOLDE to 2.83 MeV/nucleon. gamma rays were detected with the MINIBALL spectrometer. The 6- beam was used to study the multiplet of states (3-, 4-, 5-, 6-) arising from the pi2p3/2nu1g9/2 configuration. The 4- state of the multiplet was populated via Coulomb excitation and the B(E2;6--->4-) value was determined in both nuclei. The results obtained illustrate the fragile stability of the Z=28 shell and N=40 subshell closures. A comparison with large-scale shell-model calculations using the 56Ni core…
Accelerated radioactive beams from REX-ISOLDE
In 2001 the linear accelerator of the Radioactive beam EXperiment (REX-ISOLDE) delivered for the first time accelerated radioactive ion beams, at a beam energy of 2 MeV/u. REX-ISOLDE uses the method of charge-state breeding, in order to enhance the charge state of the ions before injection into the LINAC. Radioactive singly-charged ions from the on-line mass separator ISOLDE are first accumulated in a Penning trap, then charge bred to an A/q < 4.5 in an electron beam ion source (EBIS) and finally accelerated in a LINAC from 5 keV/u to energies between 0.8 and 2.2 MeV/u. Dedicated measurements with REXTRAP, the transfer line and the EBIS have been carried out in conjunction with the first co…
The REX-ISOLDE project
REX-ISOLDE is a pilot experiment at ISOLDE/CERN to study the structure of neutron-rich nuclei (N=20, N=28) with post-accelerated radioactive ion beams (1). Therefore radioactive ions with charge state 1+, which are delivered by the online mass separator ISOLDE, are accelerated up to 2.2 MeV/u by means of a new concept. The radioactive ions are first accumulated in a Penning trap, then charge breeded to a charge-to-mass ratio of 1/4.5 in an Electron Beam Ion Source (EBIS) and finally accelerated. The LINAC consists of three components, namely a Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) accelerator, which accelerates the ions from 5 to 300 keV/u, an interdigital H-type structure (IH) with a final ener…
Test of special relativity in an ion storage ring
An accurate measurement of the Doppler effect in collinear laser spectroscopy has been performed at the TSR storage ring with electron cooled7Li+ ions atΒ=0.064. This experiment is a sensitive test of theγ=(1−Β2)−1/2 factor(Β=v/c) in the special theory of relativity. The Doppler shifted frequencies of the moving7Li+ ions are compared with calibrated molecular lines at rest. The frequencies at rest for the7Li+ ions are known from independent measurements. The Doppler shifted frequencies in the collinear experiment have been measured with a precision ofδv/v=6×10−9, mainly limited by the signal width of the resonance. A corresponding upper limit of 8×10−7 is deduced for any deviation of the ti…
Accelerating Radioactive Ion Beams With REX-ISOLDE
The post accelerator REX‐ISOLDE is installed at the ISOLDE facility at CERN, where a broad variety of radioactive ions can be addressed. Since the end of 2001 beams at the final energy of 2.2 MeV/u are available. REX‐ISOLDE uses a unique system of beam bunching and charge breeding. First a Penning trap accumulates and bunches the ions, which are delivered as a quasi‐continuous beam from the ISOLDE target‐ion‐source, and then an electron beam ion source (EBIS) charge‐breeds them to a mass‐to‐charge ratio below 4.5. This enables a very compact design for the following LINAC, consisting of a 4 rod RFQ, an IH structure and three 7‐gap‐resonators. The later ones allow a variation of the final en…
Laser cooling of stored high-velocity ions by means of the spontaneous force
A longitudinal laser cooling of ion beams at about 5% of the velocity of light has been performed at the Heidelberg Test Storage Ring with various cooling schemes employing the spontaneous force. For a 7.29-MeV $^{9}\mathrm{Be}^{+}$ beam with an initial longitudinal temperature of 2700 K, the main characteristics of laser cooling in a storage ring are discussed. When undamped, the transverse betatron oscillations of the coasting ions limit the longitudinal temperature after laser cooling to typically 1 K. After damping the transverse motion by precooling the ions with an electron cooler, longitudinal temperatures of below 30 mK have been obtained in the subsequent laser cooling. In this cas…
First laser cooling of relativistic ions in a storage ring
The first successful laser cooling of ions at relativistic energies was observed at the Heidelberg TSR storage ring. A $^{7}\mathrm{Li}^{+}$-ion beam of 13.3 MeV was oberlapped with resonant copropagating and counterpropagating laser beams. The metastable ions were cooled from 260 K to a longitudinal temperature of below 3 K and decelerated by several keV. The longitudinal velocity distribution was determined by a fluorescence method. After laser cooling a strongly enhanced narrow peak appeared in the Schottky noise spectrum in addition to the uncooled ion distribution.
Low energy reactions with radioactive ions at REX-ISOLDE-the 9Li + 2H case
19 pages, 12 figures, 2 tables.-- PACS nrs.: 25.60.-t; 25.45.-z; 27.20.+n.-- et al. ISOLDE Collaborattion and REX-ISOLDE Collaboration.