Mass spectrometry of atomic ions produced by in-trap decay of short-lived nuclides

A. Herlert , D. Beck , K. Blaum , F. Carrel , P. Delahaye , S. George , C. Guénaut (1) , F. Herfurth , A. Kellerbauer , H.-J. Kluge , D. Lunney (1) , M. Mukherjee , L. Schweikhard , C. Yazidjian

1 CSNSM - Centre de Spectrométrie Nucléaire et de Spectrométrie de Masse

The triple-trap mass spectrometer ISOLTRAP at ISOLDE/CERN has demonstrated the feasibility of mass spectrometry of in-trap-decay product ions. This novel technique gives access to radionuclides, which are not produced directly at ISOL-type radioactive ion beam facilities. As a proof of principle, the in-trap decay of $^{37}K^+$ has been investigated in a Penning trap filled with helium buffer gas. The half-life of the mother nuclide was confirmed and the recoiling $^{37}Ar^+$ daughter ion was contained within the trap. The ions of either the mother or the daughter nuclide were transferred to a precision Penning trap, where their mass was determined.

Domaines: Physique Nucléaire Expérimentale [nucl-ex]

A. Herlert, D. Beck, K. Blaum, F. Carrel, P. Delahaye, et al.. Mass spectrometry of atomic ions produced by in-trap decay of short-lived nuclides. New Journal of Physics, 2005, 7, pp.44. ⟨10.1088/1367-2630/7/1/044⟩. ⟨in2p3-00024834⟩