An efficient method for producing 9Be+ ions using a 2 + 1 resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization process

Abstract

We report a method of creating pure 9Be+ ions by a 2 + 1 resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization for the ionization potential of 75 192.64(6) cm−1 (133 nm). The efficient generation of 9Be+ ions has been realized in a segmented linear ion trap. The average loading rates with a 10 ns, 1 mJ laser at 310 nm and 306 nm are 3.8 and 1.3 ions per pulse, respectively. This method has the advantage of reducing the electron contamination to the ion trap electrodes greatly. It also reduces the requirement of single-photon energy while satisfying the need for ionization probability and can be applied to other atoms with high ionization thresholds.