Accuracy studies with carbon clusters at the Penning trap mass spectrometer TRIGA-TRAP

• Published in: The European physical journal. D, Atomic, molecular, and optical physics Vol. 58; no. 1; pp. 47 - 52
• Main Authors: Ketelaer, J., Beyer, T., Blaum, K., Block, M., Eberhardt, K., Eibach, M., Herfurth, F., Smorra, C., Nagy, Sz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.05.2010; EDP Sciences
• Subjects: Applications of Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos Theory; Atomic; Atomic and molecular clusters; Atomic and molecular physics; Atomic Physics; Charged clusters; Exact sciences and technology; Molecular; Optical and Plasma Physics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Quantum Information Technology; Quantum Physics; Spectroscopy and geometrical structure of clusters; Spectroscopy/Spectrometry; Spintronics; Studies of special atoms, molecules and their ions; clusters; Cyclotron Frequency; Mass Excess; Trap Axis; Carbon Cluster; Frequency Ratio; Cluster size; Mass spectrometers; Charged clusters; Carbon ions; Mass measurement; Measuring methods; Penning trap; Calibration; Carbon; Atomic clusters
• ISSN: 1434-6060; 1434-6079
• DOI: 10.1140/epjd/e2010-00092-9

Extensive cross-reference measurements of well-known frequency ratios using various sizes of carbon cluster ions 12 C n + (10≤n≤23) were performed to determine the effects limiting the accuracy of mass measurements at the Penning-trap facility TRIGA-TRAP. Two major contributions to the uncertainty of a mass measurement have been identified. Fluctuations of the magnetic field cause an uncertainty in the frequency ratio due to the required calibration by a reference ion of u f (ν ref )/ν ref = 6(2) × 10 -11 /min × Δt. A mass-dependent systematic shift of the frequency ratio of epsilon m (r)/r = -2.2(2) × 10 -9 × (m-m ref )/u has been found as well. Finally, the nuclide 197 Au was used as a cross-check since its mass is already known with an uncertainty of 0.6 keV.