Abstract
The cyclotron trap was developed at SIN/PSI to increase the stopping density of negatively charged particle beams for the formation of exotic atoms in low pressure gases. A weak focusing magnetic field, produced by superconducting solenoids, is used. Particles are injected radially through the fringe field to a moderator, which decelerates them into orbits bound by the field. Further deceleration by moderators and/or low-pressure gases leads the particles to the centre of the device, where they can be stopped or eventually extracted. Experiments became feasible with this technique, such as those dealing with pionic hydrogen/deuterium at SIN/PSI. Muonic hydrogen laser experiments also became possible with the extraction of muons from the cyclotron trap. The formation of antiprotonic hydrogen in low pressure targets led to successful experiments at LEAR/CERN.
Highlights
The advent of meson factories in the 70’s and of the antiproton factory LEAR in the 80’s, resulted in a revival of interest in the physics of exotic atoms
The main focus of research was the investigation of nuclear charge parameters with muonic atoms, and the determination of the strong interaction shift and broadening in hadronic atoms [1]
Experiments planned at LEAR/CERN to measure X-rays from antiprotonic hydrogen and deuterium, motivated a new technique to stop particles at the lowest pressures
Summary
The advent of meson factories in the 70’s and of the antiproton factory LEAR in the 80’s, resulted in a revival of interest in the physics of exotic atoms. Exotic atoms were produced by decelerating the beam particles with a linear array of low-Z moderators, such as Be, C H2, or C to minimize straggling This technique was sufficient for the purposes at that time, but was not adequate for experiments of more fundamental interest. Neutral exotic hydrogen/deuterium atoms can penetrate deeply into the field of neighbouring atoms. At higher pressures they are destroyed by the Stark effect before they can emit the X-rays one wants to measure [2]. Experiments planned at LEAR/CERN to measure X-rays from antiprotonic hydrogen and deuterium, motivated a new technique to stop particles at the lowest pressures. A second instrument (CT II) was developed later, specially tailored to the pion and muon beams at PSI
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