Abstract
The triple-trap mass spectrometer ISOLTRAP at ISOLDE/CERN has demonstrated the feasibility of mass spectrometry of in-trap-decay product ions. This novel technique gives access to radionuclides, which are not produced directly at ISOL-type radioactive ion beam facilities. As a proof of principle, the in-trap decay of 37K+ has been investigated in a Penning trap filled with helium buffer gas. The half-life of the mother nuclide was confirmed and the recoiling 37Ar+ daughter ion was contained within the trap. The ions of either the mother or the daughter nuclide were transferred to a precision Penning trap, where their mass was determined.
Highlights
DEUTSCHE PHYSIKALISCHE GESELLSCHAFT ion is not more than a few 100 eV and, with the appropriate choice of trapping potentials, the capture and storage of the daughter ion is possible
The charge state of the daughter nuclide depends on the decay process
After the transfer to a precision Penning trap [10] installed in a 5.9-T superconducting magnet, the ion cyclotron frequency is determined by a TOF detection technique [27]: After a dipolar rf excitation of the ions to a magnetron orbit of about 0.7 mm radius, the initially pure magnetron motion is converted into cyclotron motion by a quadrupolar rf field [28]
Summary
DEUTSCHE PHYSIKALISCHE GESELLSCHAFT ion is not more than a few 100 eV and, with the appropriate choice of trapping potentials, the capture and storage of the daughter ion is possible. In the case of α decay, the kinetic energy of the recoil ion is orders of magnitude larger than the axial trapping potential. Trapping of the daughter nuclide after α decay strongly depends on the recoil direction relative to the trap axis. The charge state of the daughter nuclide depends on the decay process. For a β+ decay of a singly charged cation, the recoil system is neutral and electron shake-off [19] is necessary for further storage. After a β− decay, the recoil ion is doubly charged or even multiply charged in case of further electron shake-off. Electron capture yields singly or multiply charged ions. The determination of the mass of the mother and daughter nuclides as well as the measurement of the half-life of the mother nuclide are presented and discussed
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