First Be+ Ions Trapped in Highly Charged Ion Experiment

We have assembled our new cryogenic Paul trap, designed for trapping beryllium ions together with highly charged ions. The micro structured trap is made completely from gold coated alumina (sintered Al2O3) to withstand the compression forces during cooldown.

 

 

 

 

After cooling it down to 7 Kelvin (-266°C) we trapped our first beryllium ions.