Simulation studies of a 30-keV MR-ToF device for highly sensitive collinear laser spectroscopy

The Multi Ion Reflection Apparatus for Collinear Laser Spectroscopy (MIRACLS) seeks to extend the reach of high-resolution collinear laser spectroscopy (CLS) to more exotic radionuclides. In this novel technique, ion bunches of short-lived radioisotopes are trapped between two electrostatic mirrors of a Multi-Reflection Time-of-Flight (MR-ToF) device at 30-keV kinetic energy. The same ion bunch can be probed by a spectroscopy laser for thousands of times compared to a single probing in the traditional CLS measurement scheme. Thus, the experimental sensitivity is increased by more than one to two orders of magnitude. Extensive simulations are presented, demonstrating the feasibility of high-resolution collinear laser spectroscopy (CLS) in the newly envisioned MR-ToF apparatus operating at ion energies of 30 keV. Once the mechanical design and operational parameters are optimized for the requirements of CLS, the spectral line is neither significantly broadened nor distorted by the combination of CLS and MR-ToF operation. According to the simulations, the storage efficiency and the ion-laser overlap are suitable for laser excitation of the majority of the trapped ions. In summary, > 90% injection and storage efficiency, > 75% ion-laser overlap and a line width approaching the natural line width of the transition of interest are reached in the simulation.

Automated summary

MIRACLS uses MR-ToF device to trap ion bunches of short-lived radioisotopes, allowing high-resolution CLS observation of more exotic radionuclides. Compared to traditional CLS, it increases the experimental sensitivity by more than one to two orders of magnitude by enabling multiple probing of the same ion bunch.