Speaker
Description
Several theories beyond the standard model predict variation of physical constants, for example the fine-structure constant α. Highly charged ions (HCIs) are ideal candidates to search for these variations because their electronic transitions show low sensitivity to external perturbations while simultaneously showing strong relativistic effects making them highly sensitive to α. The TwinTraps project aims at measuring optical transition frequencies of highly charged californium (Cf15+ and Cf17+). Both ions will be trapped simultaneously in two cryogenic Paul traps and measured by high-precision quantum logic spectroscopy using beryllium.
This poster presents an overview of the planned experiment, focusing on the production and transportation of the HCIs.
The HCIs are produced in an electron-beam ion trap (EBIT). Atoms are inserted close to the electron beam and subsequently ionized into higher charge states by the electron beam itself. They are then extracted and transported through an electrostatic beam line to two different Paul traps. A y-shaped electrostatic bender can be used to load any charge state into any trap. To improve the vacuum conditions in the Paul trap thus increasing the life time of the HCIs, the traps are placed in a cryogenic environment cooled down to 4K.
I will present tests of the laser ablation used to inject californium into the EBIT, as well as first extraction and transport measurements of the HCIs, to characterize the efficiency and stability of the loading process.
| Academic level | PhD student |
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