A simple radionuclide-driven single-ion source

Authors

M Montero Diez
T Daniels, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
K Kumar, University of Massachusetts - Amherst
A Pocar, University of Massachusetts - AmherstFollow
et. al.

Publication Date

2010

Journal or Book Title

Review of Scientific Instruments

Abstract

We describe a source capable of producing single barium ions through nuclear recoils in radioactive decay. The source is fabricated by electroplating 148Gd onto a silicon α-particle detector and vapor depositing a layer of BaF2 over it. 144Sm recoils from the alpha decay of 148Gd are used to dislodge Ba+ ions from the BaF2 layer and emit them in the surrounding environment. The simultaneous detection of an α particle in the substrate detector allows for tagging of the nuclear decay and of the Ba+ emission. The source is simple, durable, and can be manipulated and used in different environments. We discuss the fabrication process, which can be easily adapted to emit most other chemical species, and the performance of the source.

Comments

This is the pre-published version harvested from ArXiv. The published version is located at http://rsi.aip.org/resource/1/rsinak/v81/i11/p113301_s1

Volume

81

Issue

11

Recommended Citation

Montero Diez, M; Daniels, T; Kumar, K; Pocar, A; and et. al., "A simple radionuclide-driven single-ion source" (2010). Review of Scientific Instruments. 1113.
Retrieved from https://scholarworks.umass.edu/physics_faculty_pubs/1113