Optimization of the charge state distribution of the ion beam extracted from an EBIT by dielectronic recombination

Abstract

The dielectronic recombination resonance (DRR) processes for highly charged krypton ions have been investigated through simultaneously observing the x-ray emission and the ions extracted at the Heidelberg EBIT while slowly scanning the electron beam energy. It was found that at their DR resonance electron energies, the yield of the He-like krypton ions was substantially reduced, whereas that of the Li-like krypton ions was correspondingly increased. At slightly higher electron energies similar features were observed for the Li- and Be-like krypton ions. From the observed ratios of the Li-like/He-like krypton ion currents, we have deduced the dielectronic recombination (DR) strength for the He-like ions, which was found to be in reasonable agreement with theoretical calculations. We have also concluded from the present experiments that the DRR processes can be used to modify the ion charge state distributions and to concentrate the extracted ion currents into particular charge states. This is particularly important for future charge breading experiments with short-lived radioactive isotopes.