Nuclear Physics(DNP)
Physique nucléaire (DPN)
Jens DILLING
TRIUMF
Ion Traps in Nuclear Physics: The Ultimate Tool for Precision Experiments
Ion traps where originally developed for atomic physics purposes, but were quickly adapted by the nuclear physics community due to its unique features and strait forward compatibility. Some of the most attractive attributes is that these traps allow one to store a sample over an extended period of time in a very well defined environment. This permits long observation times, hence leads to better precision in the measurements, or provides for addition manipulation, often necessary to carry out the procedure of interest. Ion traps in nuclear physics are therefore mostly used for either high precision experiments, or serve as intermediate steps where additional manipulation techniques, like cooling or accumulation, can be applied. An additional asset is the general applicability of ion traps to all charged particles, particularly important in nuclear physics, where one has for example excess to a broad variety of different isotopes. This talk reviews the various trapping techniques as currently used in nuclear physics and shows, how and why some of the best precision experiments, like CPT-tests and weak-interaction Standard model test employ ion traps. An overview of present world-wide activities is given.