A laser ablation carbon cluster ion source for the FRS Ion Catcher

Le résumé fourni par la source

A Laser Ablation Carbon Cluster Ion source (LACCI) has been developed and commissioned at the FRS Ion Catcher at GSI. It is the first laser ablation ion source for long-term measurements with a multiple-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MR-TOF-MS). This is enabled by two key developments: (i) a two-dimensional movable target platform that ensures the long-term stable production of ions and (ii) a mass filter for the isolation of the ions of interest. LACCI is capable of providing closely-spaced reference ions in the mass range up to ∼300 u for accurate mass measurements of exotic nuclei (relative mass uncertainty ∼10−8) and systematic studies of the mass uncertainties with the multiple-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Investigations of the laser energy and repetition rate and long-term measurements have been carried out with carbon targets (Sigradur®, Fullerene) and metallic targets (silver, gold, copper, tungsten, and erbium). In a test experiment, LACCI has delivered a stable ion current for more than 20 h at a laser repetition rate of 100 Hz, corresponding to an operation for one week at 10 Hz. It thus fully satisfies the requirements for long-term accurate mass measurements of exotic nuclei with an MR-TOF-MS. This enables the access of exotic ions, detected with rates as low as 0.1 per hour at the FRS Ion Catcher.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.