End of 2007

• SPECTRAP’ is being built in London to trap Ca+ ions with real imaging capabilities

• Early RF operation expected Jan 2008• Penning operation Feb/Mar 2008

Experimental Plans

1. RF trap ● less complex system to start debugging a new trap

● initial tests with Calcium using existing Laser system

● optimise internal/external optics and loading parameters

2. Penning trap ● investigate cloud compression using the rotating

wall technique for which we already have the

electronic driver in London

● look for fluorescence from Pb+ weak infrared

transition at 710 nm to gain experience of low LIF

levels

Progress..

• Complete vacuum system assembled and tested - pressure ~10-9mbar

• Trap with internal optics assembled and aligned - knife edge test

• Calcium oven and filament attached – electron current to all electrodes detected and glow from oven observed

• RF electronics operational - 500V@1MHz (q=0.7) or 2.6MHz

Progress..

• Complete vacuum system assembled and tested - pressure ~10-9mbar

• Trap with internal optics assembled and aligned - knife edge test

• Calcium oven and filament attached – electron current to all electrodes detected and glow from oven observed

• RF electronics operational - 500V@1MHz (q=0.7) or 2.6MHz

Spherical mirror => enhancement of light collection efficiency from 1.3% to 2.5%

Progress..

• Complete vacuum system assembled and tested - pressure ~10-9mbar

• Trap with internal optics assembled and aligned - knife edge test

• Calcium oven and filament attached – electron current to all electrodes detected and glow from oven observed

• RF electronics operational - 500V@1MHz (q=0.7) or 2.6MHz

Progress..

• Complete vacuum system assembled and tested - pressure ~10-9mbar

• Trap with internal optics assembled and aligned - knife edge test

• Calcium oven and filament attached – electron current to all electrodes detected and glow from oven observed

• RF electronics operational - 500V@1MHz (q=0.7) or 2.6MHz

Last week..

• First trials in RF operation - Ca+ ions not optically observed

• Possible problems - wavelengths? verified by PADTRAP

- focal position of laser beams in trap?

- position of detector pinhole?

- Calcium oven not emitting as expected?

- pressure in vacuum system not good enough?

Outlook

• 2-3 weeks optical detection of Ca+ in RF operation

• Setup of external optics for superconducting magnet - fibre optic bundle, folding mirrors etc.

• 1-2 months begin Penning trap trials.

Ion Trapping @ Imperial College

Ca+ ion in a 0.98 Tesla trapping field 5 reds at present