Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Accurate mass spectrometry of trapped ions

  • Published:
Hyperfine Interactions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Penning trap Ion Cyclotron Resonance (ICR) method we use to weigh atomic masses is reviewed, and our plans for future measurements, new methods, and apparatus improvements are discussed. Our ultimate goal is to develop a new technique for measuring atomic masses with an accuracy of a few parts in 1012. We will do this by comparing the cyclotron frequencies of two simultaneously trapped ions. In order to successfully implement this new method we are developing a quieter, more sensitive DC SQUID-based detector and a new more harmonic trap, and we plan to use our classical squeezing techniques to reduce the effects of thermal noise.

With our improved apparatus we will weigh Cs and Rb to help determine the fine structure constant α, weigh 29Si and 30Si as part of the current effort to replace the artifact kilogram standard with a Si crystal containing a known number of atoms, and measure the 3H-3He mass difference to help set a limit on the mass of the electron neutrino. Our higher accuracy will also enable us to ``weigh'' the neutron capture gamma rays of 28Si, 32S, and 48Ti to help determine the molar Planck constant NAh and the fine structure constant α. Finally, with a mass measurement accuracy \sim 10-12 we will be able to ``weigh'' chemical bonds.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. F. DiFilippo, V. Natarajan, K. Boyce and D. E. Pritchard, Phys. Rev. Lett. 73 (1994) 1481.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. T. Kinoshita, IEEE Trans. Inst. Meas. 44 (1995) 498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. R.S. Van Dyck, Jr., P.B. Schwinberg and H.G. Dehmelt, Phys. Rev. Lett. 59 (1987) 26.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. E. Kruger, W. Nistler and W. Weirauch, IEEE Trans. Inst. Meas. 44 (1995) 514.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. M.E. Cage et al., IEEE Trans. Inst. Meas. 38 (1989) 284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. M. Weitz et al., Phys. Rev. A 52 (1995) 2664.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. F. Nez et al., IEEE Trans. Inst. Meas. 44 (1995) 568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. D. Weiss, B. Young and S. Chu, Phys. Rev. Lett. 70 (1993) 2706.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. B.C. Young, M. Weitz, J.M. Hensley and S. Chu, in: Proc. Fifth Symp. on Frequency Standards and Metrology, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, October 1995 (World Scienti?c, 1996) p. 223.

  10. D.L. Farnham, R.S. Van Dyck, Jr. and P.B. Schwinberg, Phys. Rev. Lett. 75 (1995) 3598.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. B.N. Taylor, IEEE Trans. Inst. Meas. 40 (1991) 86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. E. Otten, Nucl. Phys. Suppl. B 38 (1995) 26.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  13. E. Kessler, private communication.

  14. S.G. Lias et al., J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data 17 (1988) Suppl. 1.

  15. R.S. Van Dyck Jr., D.J. Wineland, P.A. Ekstrom and H.G. Dehmelt, Appl. Phys. Lett. 28 (1976) 446.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. G. Gabrielse, Phys. Rev. A 27 (1983) 2277.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. R. Weisskoff, G. Lafyatis, K. Boyce, E. Cornell, R. Flanagan Jr. and D. E. Pritchard, J. Appl. Phys. 63 (1988) 4599.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. D.J. Wineland and H.G. Dehmelt, J. Appl. Phys. 46 (1975) 919.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  19. E.A. Cornell, R.M. Weisskoff, K. Boyce and D.E. Pritchard, Phys. Rev. A 41 (1990) 312.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  20. E.A. Cornell, R.M. Weisskoff, K.R. Boyce, R.W. Flanagan Jr., G.P. Lafyatis and D.E. Pritchard, Phys. Rev. Lett. 63 (1989) 1674.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  21. P.J. Huber, Robust Statistics(Wiley, New York, 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  22. N. Ramsey, Molecular Beams(Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1956).

    Google Scholar 

  23. V. Natarajan, K. Boyce, F. DiFilippo and D.E. Pritchard, Phys. Rev. Lett. 71 (1993) 1998.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  24. A.H. Wapstra and G. Audi, Nucl. Phys. A 432 (1985).

  25. A.H. Wapstra, Nucl. Instr. Meth. A 292 (1990) 671.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  26. G.L. Greene, E.G. Kessler Jr., R.D. Deslattes and H. Borner, Phys. Rev. Lett. 56 (1986) 819.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  27. G. Audi and A.G. Wapstra, Nucl. Phys. A 565 (1993).

  28. R.S. Van Dyck Jr., D.L. Farnham and P.B. Schwinberg, in: Proc. 6th Int. Conf. on Nuclei Far From Stability and 9th Int’l Conf. on Atomic Masses and Fundamental Constants, Bernkastel-Kues, Germany, July 1992 (IOP Publishing, Bristol, 1993) p. 3.

    Google Scholar 

  29. R.S. Van Dyck Jr., D.L. Farnham and P.B. Schwinberg, Phys. Rev. Lett. 70 (1993) 2888.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  30. R. Jertz et al., Phys. Scr. 48 (1993) 399.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  31. R.S. Van Dyck Jr., F.L. Moore, D.L. Farnham and P.B. Schwinberg, Phys. Rev. A 40 (1989) 6308.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  32. R.S. Van Dyck Jr. et al., Phys. Scr. T 59 (1995).

  33. G. Gabrielse and J. Tan, J. Appl. Phys. 63 (1988) 5143.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  34. E.A. Cornell, K. Boyce, D.L.K. Fygenson and D.E. Pritchard, Phys. Rev. A 45 (1992) 3049.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  35. S. Rusinkiewicz, Senior Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1995).

  36. V. Natarajan, F. DiFilippo and D. E. Pritchard, Phys. Rev. Lett. 74 (1995) 2855.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  37. F. DiFilippo, V. Natarajan, K. Boyce and D.E. Pritchard, Phys. Rev. Lett. 68 (1992) 2859.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Laboratory of Electronics, Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA

    M. Bradley, F. Palmer, D. Garrison, L. Ilich, S. Rusinkiewicz & D.E. Pritchard

Authors
  1. M. Bradley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. F. Palmer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. D. Garrison
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. L. Ilich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. S. Rusinkiewicz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. D.E. Pritchard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bradley, M., Palmer, F., Garrison, D. et al. Accurate mass spectrometry of trapped ions. Hyperfine Interactions 108, 227–238 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012610812810

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1012610812810

Keywords

Search

Navigation