Collinear resonance ionization spectroscopy for trace analysis

Abstract

This thesis presents three interrelated projects. These projects have focused on trace analysis of rare isotopes such as (_ ^14)C. The first project was based at Manchester, and focus on the design and development of a novel compact analytical technique. It is a hyphenation of two techniques: Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) with Collinear Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy (CRIS). The CRIS technique is ideal for trace analysis because it provides high resolution and therefore high selectivity, high detection efficiency and ultra-low background. In this thesis, an Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion source and mass separator have been designed to produce and select an ion beam of (_ ^14)C. The established method of GC-MS has been further optimized with the inclusion of a cryogenic concentrator which has been used to produce pure CO2 to aid the detection of (_ ^14)C. A Multi-Reflection Resonance Charge Breeder (MR-RCB) is proposed as an instrument to perform Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy. This instrument is designing to produce 2^+ ions by sampling the CRIS technique to be performed on a trapped ion bunch. A novel design and simulation are presented and discussed. In CERN, an experiment attempted to perform multi-photon ionization spectroscopy on an accelerated carbon beam. From the time of flight measurements, a neutralization efficiency of 42% was determined for a carbon beam at 20 keV. A collisional ionization rate of 1:10^6 at a pressure of 2.7×10^(-10)mbar was measured.

Date of Award	1 Aug 2020
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Kieran Flanagan (Supervisor) & Ronald Garcia Ruiz (Supervisor)