Time-of-flight detectors with improved timing performance for isochronous mass measurements at the CSRe

Abstract

In isochronous mass spectrometry (IMS) established in heavy-ion storage rings the revolution times of the stored secondary ions should be independent of their velocity spread. However, this isochronous condition is fulfilled only in first order and in a small range of revolution times. To correct for the non-isochronicity an additional measure of the velocity or magnetic rigidity of each stored ion is required. For this purpose two new time-of-flight (TOF) detectors were installed in a straight section of the experimental Cooler Storage Ring CSRe in Lanzhou. The performance of the new time-of-flight (TOF) detectors, which is crucial for the achievable efficiencies and mass resolving power, was significantly improved. The time resolution of the TOF detector in offline tests was σ=18.5±2ps. The detector setup was put into operation with a stable beam of 78Kr.