Experiences with collinear laser spectroscopy of ion beams from electromagnetic isotope separators

Abstract

Collinear Laser Ion-Beam Spectroscopy (CLIBS) needs some special precautions with regard to the regime and construction of the electromagnetic isotope separator in order to achieve the high precision and sensitivity possible with this method. Collinearity of the laser and ion beam can be obtained by a well-designed ion optical system and is influenced by the angular dispersion of ions. The knowledge of the kinetic energy of the ions is very important; it depends on the acceleration voltage and the voltage drops in the ion source, the flight tank, and the interaction chamber. The sensitivity depends for instance on the population of the investigated atomic states and is influenced by the ion-source characteristics, by de-excitation during flight and by laser pumping. An increase of sensitivity by further development of this technique is anticipated.