Beta-decay experiments of neutral atoms in a magneto-optical trap

J. Dilling, J. A. Behr, A. Gorelov, T. Swanson, O. Häusser, D. Melconian, K. P. Jackson, M. Trinczek, U. Giesen, J. M. D'Auria

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Magneto optical traps (MOT) allow the cooling and storing of neutral atoms in a volume of a few cubic millimeters by use of laser beams and a magnetic field. Such devices offer new and exciting opportunities for precision measurements of radioactive isotopes. Here we present experiments performed with a double-MOT system coupled to the on-line separator TISOL at TRIUMF/Vancouver, Canada. For the first time, the β-decay of free atoms stored in such a device could be observed. We report on coincidence measurements between beta-particles and the argon recoils in the decay of 37K and 38mK. The charge state ratios of the recoil-ions were deduced by Time-Of-Flight separation in an acceleration field. The final goal of those investigations is a precision test of the Standard Model by measuring the β-ν-correlation parameter α.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)159-164
Number of pages6
JournalHyperfine Interactions
Volume115
Issue number1-4
StatePublished - 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Beta-decay
  • Optical cooling and trapping atoms
  • Standard model test

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