0000000000077031
AUTHOR
C. Mattolat
On-line implementation and first operation of the Laser Ion Source and Trap at ISOLDE/CERN
13 pags.; 12 figs.; 2 tab.; Open Access funded by CERN
A complementary laser system for ISOLDE RILIS
The Resonance Ionization Laser Ion Source (RILIS) is a powerful tool for efficient and selective production of radioactive ion beams at Isotope Separator On Line (ISOL) facilities. To avoid isobaric background, highly selective stepwise resonant ionization is applied, using up to three different laser wavelengths. Due to their advantages in terms of stability and reliability, an all solid-state titanium:sapphire (Ti:Sa) system is used or is planned to be installed at the majority of on-line facilities worldwide. Such an all solid-state Ti:Sa laser system is going to be installed at the ISOLDE RILIS at CERN alongside the well-established dye laser system.
Resonant Ionization Laser Ion Source for Radioactive Ion Beams
A resonant ionization laser ion source based on all‐solid‐state, tunable Ti:Sapphire lasers is being developed for the production of pure radioactive ion beams. It consists of a hot‐cavity ion source and three pulsed Ti:Sapphire lasers operating at a 10 kHz pulse repetition rate. Spectroscopic studies are being conducted to develop ionization schemes that lead to ionizing an excited atom through an auto‐ionization or a Rydberg state for numerous elements of interest. Three‐photon resonant ionization of 12 elements has been recently demonstrated. The overall efficiency of the laser ion source measured for some of these elements ranges from 1 to 40%. The results indicate that Ti:Sapphire lase…
Three-photon resonance ionization of atomic Mn in a hot-cavity laser ion source using Ti:sapphire lasers
Three-photon resonance ionization of atomic manganese (Mn) in a hot-cavity ion source using Ti:sapphire lasers has been demonstrated. Three-step ionization schemes employing different intermediate levels and Rydberg or autoionizing (AI) states in the final ionization step are established. Strong AI resonances were observed via the 3d54s5s f 6S5/2 level at 49 415.35 cm−1, while Rydberg transitions were reached from the 3d54s4d e 6D9/2,7/2,5/2 levels at around 47 210 cm−1. Analyses of the strong Rydberg transitions associated with the 3d54s4d e 6D7/2 lower level indicate that they belong to the dipole-allowed 4d → nf 6F°9/2,7/2,5/2 series converging to the 3d54s 7S3 ground state of Mn II. Fro…
Ultra Trace Determination Scheme for26Al by High-Resolution Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry using a Pulsed Ti:Sapphire Laser
We propose an ultra trace analysis approach for 26Al by high-resolution Resonance Ionization Mass Spectrometry (RIMS) using a pulsed narrow band-width Ti:Sapphire laser. For ensuring efficient ionization and high isotopic selectivity in RIMS of Al, we developed an injection seeded pulsed Ti:Sapphire laser with high repetition rate operation at up to 10 kHz. The laser produced an output power of 2 W and a spectral band-width of ~20 MHz with a repetition rate of 7 kHz. A first demonstration of its performance was done by detecting stable 27Al using RIMS.
Resonant ionization spectroscopy of autoionizing Rydberg states in cobalt and redetermination of its ionization potential
Multi-step resonance ionization spectroscopy of cobalt has been performed using a hot-cavity laser ion source and three Ti:Sapphire lasers. The photoionization spectra revealed members of five new autoionizing Rydberg series that originate from three different lower levels of 3d74s5s h4F9/2, 3d74s4d f4G11/2, and 3d74s4d f4H13/2 and converge to the first four excited states of singly ionized Co. The analyses of the Rydberg series yield 63564.689 �� 0.036 cm-1 as the first ionization potential of Co, which is an order of magnitude more accurate than the previous estimation. Using a three-step resonance ionization scheme that employs an autoinizing Rydberg state in the last transition, we obta…
The laser ion source and trap (LIST) – A highly selective ion source
A combined structure consisting of a laser ion source and a linear Paul trap (LIST) has been designed to produce radioactive ion beams of high purity and optimal temporal and spacial brilliance at on-line isotope separator (ISOL) facilities. The functionality of the LIST was experimentally demonstrated in off-line tests using the RISIKO off-line mass separator together with an all solid state Ti:sapphire laser system at the University of Mainz. Two different ion trap designs were tested extracting the performance of these devices regarding ionization efficiency and selectivity as well as time structure and transverse emittance of the produced ion beam. The results of these measurements are …
Determination of the first ionization potential of technetium
Using resonance ionization spectroscopy the first-ionization potential of actinium has been determined by analyzing different Rydberg series in two-color resonant laser excitation. Three individual Rydberg series were investigated, converging toward the ionic ground state and toward the first- and second-excited state of the actinium ion, respectively. A combined analysis of the convergence limits leads to a consistent value for the first-ionization potential of Ac of $43\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}394.45\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}(19)\phantom{\rule{0.28em}{0ex}}{\text{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, equivalent to $5.380\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}226\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}(24)$ eV.
Ion production from solid state laser ion sources.
Laser ion sources based on resonant excitation and ionization of atoms are well-established tools for selective and efficient production of radioactive ion beams. Recent developments are focused on the use of the state-of-the-art all solid-state laser systems. To date, 35 elements of the periodic table are available from laser ion sources based on tunable Ti:sapphire lasers. Recent progress in this field regarding the establishment of suitable optical excitation schemes for Ti:sapphire lasers are reported.
Resonant three-photon ionization spectroscopy of atomic Fe
Laser spectroscopic investigations on high-lying states around the ionization potential (IP) in the atomic spectrum of Fe have been carried out for the development of a practical three-step resonance ionization scheme accessible by Ti: sapphire lasers. A hot cavity laser ion source, typically used at on-line radioactive ion beam production facilities, was employed in this work. Ionization schemes employing high-lying Rydberg and autoionizing states populated by three-photon excitations were established. Five new Rydberg and autoionizing Rydberg series converging to the ground and to the first four excited states of Fe II are reported. Analyses of the Rydberg series yield the value 63 737.68…
The laser ion source trap for highest isobaric selectivity in online exotic isotope production
The improvement in the performance of a conventional laser ion source in the laser ion source and trap (LIST) project is presented, which envisages installation of a repeller electrode and a linear Paul trap/ion guide structure. This approach promises highest isobaric purity and optimum temporal and spatial control of the radioactive ion beam produced at an online isotope separator facility. The functionality of the LIST was explored at the offline test separators of University of Mainz (UMz) and ISOLDE/CERN, using the UMz solid state laser system. Ionization efficiency and selectivity as well as time structure and transversal emittance of the produced ion beam was determined. Next step aft…
Study of Low Work Function Materials for Hot Cavity Resonance Ionization Laser Ion Sources
The selectivity of a hot cavity resonance ionization laser ion source (RILIS) is most often limited by contributions from competing surface ionization on the hot walls of the ionization cavity. In this article we present investigations on the properties of designated high-temperature, low-work function materials regarding their performance and suitability as cavity material for RILIS. Tungsten test cavities, impregnated with a mixture of barium oxide and strontium oxide (BaOSrO on W), or alternatively gadolinium hexaboride (GdB6) were studied in comparison to a standard tungsten RILIS cavity as being routinely used for hot cavity laser ionization at ISOLDE. Measurement campaigns took place …