Cumulative loading of the ion trap by laser ablation of thorium target in buffer gas

Abstract

Abstract We describe a method that allows accumulation in a Paul trap of a large number of ions obtained from multiple laser ablation pulses, and therefore solving the problem of a single pulse that usualy gives rise to final trapping of too few ions. The proposed method of the cumulative trap loading was based on interaction with a buffer gas that provided a friction force. The method was applied to triply charged thorium ions and trapped a total of 106 ions. Numerical analysis of the ion motion allowed the experimental parameters to be optimized for the most effective implementation of the technique.