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Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference

Laser trapping of radioactive 210 francium

J. E. Simsarian, Archisman Ghosh, G. Gwinner, Ivan Orozco, Gene D. Sprouse, P. A. Voytas

Published Jun 7, 1996• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

Summary form only given. Francium, the heaviest alkali, has no stable isotopes and has eluded extensive study because sufficient quantities have not been available for detailed investigations. The strong phase space confinement makes the magneto-optic trap a very good tool for spectroscopic studies that can lead to measurements of atomic parity violations in francium. We have succeeded in injecting into a magneto-optical trap /sup 210/Fr atoms.

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Summary form only given. We have constructed a new apparatus for on-line magneto-optical trapping of radioactive francium atoms at the Stony Brook Superconducting LINAC. An ion beam with an energy of /spl sim/100 MeV from the accelerator strikes a target of gold or isotopically enriched platinum mounted on the end of a tungsten rod. A heavy-ion fusion reaction [/sup 16,18/O(/sup 197/Au,xn) or /sup 19/F(/sup 198/Pt,xn)] selectively produces the isotopes /sup 208-212/Fr in the target room of the accelerator. The beam power and an auxiliary heater heat the target, allowing the francium to diffuse rapidly to the surface. The target ionizes the francium as it diffuses out. We then transport the francium as ions to a different room for subsequent neutralization and capture in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). Since the transport system is electrostatic, it is mass independent, allowing us to transport any isotope of Fr or even other alkalis. We have delivered over 3/spl times/10/sup 6/ Fr/sec to a Faraday cup in front of the trap, and tests show greater than 90% transport efficiency from the target. A small constriction in the vacuum system separates the target and transport region from the trap, permitting differential pumping of the trap.

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Performance of francium ion sources

Sergey Nikitich Atutov, R. Calabrese, L. Corradi +10 more

A cold cloud of rare atoms is desirable in several fields. High-resolution spectroscopy of poorly-known atomic levels and tests of the Standard Model in atomic systems are examples of studies pursued in laboratories around the world [1]. Francium is particularly suitable because it is the heaviest alkali metal and it has several isotopes with relatively long lifetimes. Also, one expects enhanced parity-violating effects and reduced theoretical uncertainties from isotope comparisons. By accumulating atoms in a trap, one partially compensates for their scarcity. Our group and the one at SUNY Stony Brook, who pioneered the field [2], are focusing on the isotopes with mass numbers in the range 208–211. A production target, a beam transport line and a magneto-optical trap (MOT) are operating at INFN’s National Laboratories in Legnaro. An overview of our work is given in Refs. [3, 4]. Here we summarize the performance of the Fr sources.

•Jan 1, 2006•0 citations
Summary form only given. Francium, the heaviest alkali, has no stable isotopes and has eluded extensive study because sufficient quantities have not been available for detailed investigations. The strong phase space confinement makes the magneto-optic trap a very good tool for spectroscopic studies that can lead to measurements of atomic parity violations in francium. We have succeeded in injecting into a magneto-optical trap /sup 210/Fr atoms.
The alkali element francium has no stable isotopes and has eluded extensive study because sufficient quantities have not been available for detailed investigations. More than 1000 210Fr{}^{210}\mathrm{Fr}210Fr atoms have now been contained in a magneto-optic trap. This number is sufficient to allow extensive studies of Fr atomic properties that are necessary input for future tests of fundamental interactions.
Francium, the heaviest alkali, is the ideal candidate for the next generation of experiments that study atomic parity non-conversion(PNC) effects or search for a CP-violating permanent atomic electric dipole moment(EDM). Since all francium isotopes are radioactive and have half-lives of 22 minutes or less, a highly efficient atom trap is needed to provide a sufficient sample for PNC or EDM experiments. Using an improved vapor cell magneto-optical trap, we have demonstrated an efficient trap of {sup 221}Fr(t{sub {1/2}}=5m) atoms. The 4cm cube cell has a geometry optimized for a high trap loading rate and its walls are coated with dryfilm to slow the loss of francium atoms to the walls. Produced from the decay of {sup 225}Ac(t{sub {1/2}}=10d), the francium atoms are efficiently transferred into the cell using a novel orthotropic oven. We have also measured the atomic hyperfine structure of the excited 7P{sub 3/2} and 7P{sub {1/2}} levels of {sup 221}Fr.
Summary form only given. We have constructed a new apparatus for on-line magneto-optical trapping of radioactive francium atoms at the Stony Brook Superconducting LINAC. An ion beam with an energy of /spl sim/100 MeV from the accelerator strikes a target of gold or isotopically enriched platinum mounted on the end of a tungsten rod. A heavy-ion fusion reaction [/sup 16,18/O(/sup 197/Au,xn) or /sup 19/F(/sup 198/Pt,xn)] selectively produces the isotopes /sup 208-212/Fr in the target room of the accelerator. The beam power and an auxiliary heater heat the target, allowing the francium to diffuse rapidly to the surface. The target ionizes the francium as it diffuses out. We then transport the francium as ions to a different room for subsequent neutralization and capture in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). Since the transport system is electrostatic, it is mass independent, allowing us to transport any isotope of Fr or even other alkalis. We have delivered over 3/spl times/10/sup 6/ Fr/sec to a Faraday cup in front of the trap, and tests show greater than 90% transport efficiency from the target. A small constriction in the vacuum system separates the target and transport region from the trap, permitting differential pumping of the trap.
A magneto-optical trap for francium radioactive atoms has been set up at the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare, Legnaro laboratories, and its characterization and optimization are under way. The main features of the Fr+ beam line, of the target, and of the magneto-optical trap are described in detail. Measurements of the Fr-ion production rate as a function of the target temperature, the primary beam intensity, and energy have been made. Preliminary tests with other stable alkali atoms aimed at an improvement of the magneto-optical trap collection efficiency are reported. Fast and efficient trap loading of rubidium has been obtained through the light-induced atomic desorption from an organic coating. A larger number of sodium atoms, as compared with a monochromatic trapping laser, has been trapped by use of a broadband laser.
A cold cloud of rare atoms is desirable in several fields. High-resolution spectroscopy of poorly-known atomic levels and tests of the Standard Model in atomic systems are examples of studies pursued in laboratories around the world [1]. Francium is particularly suitable because it is the heaviest alkali metal and it has several isotopes with relatively long lifetimes. Also, one expects enhanced parity-violating effects and reduced theoretical uncertainties from isotope comparisons. By accumulating atoms in a trap, one partially compensates for their scarcity. Our group and the one at SUNY Stony Brook, who pioneered the field [2], are focusing on the isotopes with mass numbers in the range 208–211. A production target, a beam transport line and a magneto-optical trap (MOT) are operating at INFN’s National Laboratories in Legnaro. An overview of our work is given in Refs. [3, 4]. Here we summarize the performance of the Fr sources.