G. Werth

The combined trap and some possible applications

We investigate the properties of a radiofrequency (Paul)-trap with a super-imposed magnetic field (combined trap). The regions of stability are significantly larger than those for a Paul-trap for both positive and negative charged ions. As a result ions of different charge sign and large mass difference can be confined simultaneously. This may have some advantages for electron cooling of highly charged ions or for the formation of anti-hydrogen from simultaneously stored positrons and antiprotons.

Crystalline ion structures in a Paul trap

We have observed crystalline structures formed by laser cooled Ca+ ions in a three-dimensional confining potential. The potential has been realized using a linear Paul trap with different ratios of potential strength in the axial and radial directions. For radial confining potentials stronger than the axial potential, we find linear structures with a continuous transition from strings to helices with decreasing potential asymmetry. When a quasi-two-dimensional potential is formed we observe ring structures with a given maximum ion number per ring which we followed up to 19. The observations are essentially in agreement with molecular dynamics calculations in static two-dimensional potentials.

Lifetime of the 4D3/2 and 4D5/2 metastable states in Sr II

Sr+ ions were confined in a r.f. quadrupole trap for times of the order of 30 min. The metastable 4D states were populated via laser excitation of the 5P states. The weak quadrupole transition rate into the 5S1/2 ground state at 674 and 687 nm was deduced from observation of the exponential decay. At background pressures above 10−7 mbar the radiative decay is dominated by collisional quenching. Extrapolation of the observed decay rate to zero background pressure yields the radiative lifetimes. At pressures around 10−6 mbar fine structure mixing collisions between the 4D states have been observed, which lead to corrections of the extrapolated lifetimes. As the final result we obtain 395±38 ms for 4D3/2 and 345±33 ms for 4D5/2. These results are somewhat higher than theoretical predictions.

Precise determination of the171Yb+ ground state Hyperfine separation

We performed a microwave-optical double resonance experiment on the ground state of171Yb+ ions. About 105 particles were confined in a r.f. quadrupole trap for periods of several hours in the presence of He buffer gas. Hyperfine pumping by a pulsed dye laser was followed by microwave transitions, which we observed via changes in the ionic fluorescence intensity. The ground state hyperfine splitting has been determined togD W=12642812124.2±1.4 Hz. The ultimate line width obtained in this experiment was 33 mHz, corresponding to a lineQ of 3.8·1011. The final error ofgD W is mainly determined by the accuracy of the available frequency reference.

A high precision Penning trap mass spectrometer

Abstract Penning ion traps are used as mass spectrometers for high precision determination of mass doublets. We present our experimental setup and discuss in detail possible sources of systematic uncertainties from electric and magnetic field distortions, misalignments and ion-ion interaction. Methods are discussed to deal with the associated line shifts. As a result, we demonstrate experimentally obtained resolutions of a few parts in 10−9 for light masses. The method allows very precise determinations of doublet mass differences of light ions.

Lifetime and collisional depopulation of the metastable 5D3/2-state of Yb+

The lifetime and collisional depopulation rates of the metastable 5D3/2 state of Yb+ have been determined in a radiofrequency ion trap by observation of the fluorescence count rate after ion excitation by a short laser pulse. From measurements using He, N2 and H2 as buffer gases between 10−8 and 10−6 mbar pressure and linear extrapolation to zero pressure we obtain a lifetime of τ=52.15±1.00 ms and rate constants ofR(H2)=(1.02±0.10)×10−9 cm3/s andR(N2)=(1.78±0.19)×10−10 cm3/s. The lifetime is in fair agreement with a calculated value of 74 ms.

Determination of the electron’s mass from g-factor experiments on 12C5+ and 16O7+

Abstract We present a derivation of the electron’s mass from our experiment on the electronic g factor in 12C5+ and 16O7+ together with the most recent quantum electrodynamical predictions. The value obtained from 12C5+ is me=0.0005485799093(3) u, that from oxygen is me=0.0005485799092(5) u. Both values agree with the currently accepted one within 1.5 standard deviations but are four respectively two-and-a-half times more precise. The contributions to the uncertainties of our values and perspectives for the determination of the fine-structure constant α by an experiment on the bound-electron g factor are discussed.

Doppler free “dark resonances” for hyperfine measurements and isotope shifts in Ca+ isotopes in a Paul trap

We have observed “dark resonances” in theA-type level structure, formed by the 4S1/2 ground state, the 4P1/2 excited state and the low lying metastable 3D3/2 state in the Calcium ion, confined in a Paul radio-frequency trap. These Doppler-free and potentially very narrow resonances were used to determine the magnetic dipole hyperfine interaction constant A for the 4P1/2 and 3D3/2 state of43Ca+, giving −142(8) MHz and −48.3(1.6) MHz, respectively. From measurements of the P-D (E1) and S-D (E2) transition wavelength in a mixture of43Ca+ and40Ca+ we determined the isotope shifts of these lines.

Experimental and theoretical challenges for the trapped electron quantum computer

We discuss quantum information processing with trapped electrons. After recalling the operation principle of planar Penning traps, we sketch the experimental conditions to load, cool and detect single electrons. Here we present a detailed investigation of a scalable scheme including feasibility studies and the analysis of all important elements, relevant for the experimental stage. On the theoretical side, we discuss different methods to couple electron qubits. We estimate the relevant qubit coherence times and draw implications for the experimental setting. A critical assessment of quantum information processing with trapped electrons concludes the paper.

Precision studies in traps: Measurement of fundamental constants and tests of fundamental theories

Experiments on single atomic particles confined in Penning ion traps have contributed significantly to the improvements of fundamental constants and to tests of the theory of Quantum Electrodynamics for free and bound electrons. The most precise value of the fine structure constant as well as the electron mass have been derived from trap experiments. Numerous atomic masses of interest for fundamental questions have been determined with precisions of 10 � 9 or below. Further progress is envisaged in the near future.