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arXiv · 1408.1415

Trapped Ion Chain Thermometry and Mass Spectrometry through Imaging

V. Rajagopal·J. P. Marler·M. G. Kokish·B. C. Odom
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Abstract

We demonstrate a spatial-imaging thermometry technique for ions in a one-dimensional Coulomb crystal by relating their imaged spatial extent along the linear radiofrequency ion trap axis to normal modes of vibration of coupled oscillators in a harmonic potential. We also use the thermal spatial spread of bright ions in the case of a two-species mixed chain to measure the center-of-mass (COM) resonance frequency of the entire chain and infer the molecular composition of the co-trapped dark ions. These non-destructive techniques create new possibilities for better understanding of sympathetic cooling in mixed-ion chains, improving few-ion mass spectrometry, and trapped-ion thermometry without requiring a scan of Doppler cooling parameters.

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V. Rajagopal, J. P. Marler, M. G. Kokish, B. C. Odom. 2014-08-06. Trapped Ion Chain Thermometry and Mass Spectrometry through Imaging. https://doi.org/10.1255/ejms.1408

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