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Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

A francium MOT for atomic parity violation measurements

Sergey Nikitich Atutov, R. Calabrese, L. Corradi, A. Dainelli, C. de Mauro, Alen Khanbekyan, E. Mariotti, P. Minguzzi, L. Moi, Stefano Sanguinetti, G. Stancari, L. Tomassetti

Published Dec 22, 2008• 5 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The apparatus for the production and trapping of francium is described and its performances are reported. Latest results on magneto-optical trapping of Francium are summarized: trapping of 209, 210, 211 Francium isotopes, measurements of their trapping frequencies, measurements of diffusion parameters of Francium ions in yttrium. Future experiments on fundamental physics are presented.

DOI
10.1117/12.822449

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Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Mar 15, 2013•1 citation
The apparatus for the production and trapping of francium is described and its performances are reported. Latest results on magneto-optical trapping of Francium are summarized: trapping of 209, 210, 211 Francium isotopes, measurements of their trapping frequencies, measurements of diffusion parameters of Francium ions in yttrium. Future experiments on fundamental physics are presented.
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.
Summary form only given. We have constructed a new apparatus for producing and on-line trapping of francium for parity non-conservation experiments. At present, we have produced and delivered 15 /spl times/ 10/sup 6/ Fr/sec to the trapping area with better than 90% efficiency. The electrostatic optics of our beamline ensure mass independent transport of all francium isotopes and even other alkalis, such as rubidium, which we use for testing most of our apparatus. After accumulation in this first MOT, we transfer the atoms to a second MOT in a separate vacuum chamber one meter below, where they are transferred to a far off-resonance optical dipole trap for PNC experiments. At present, we are constructing the apparatus for a measurement of the PNC anapole moment by probing the microwave E1 transition between the ground state hyperfine levels of francium.
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.