Constructing an Electron Trap with Limited Resources

[microfracture]

i have a personal project that has been brewing in my head since high school. i want to make an electron trap that is capable of holding more than a few particles. a friend has been helping me research the capability of electromagnets and penning traps. according to
http://www.physik.uni-mainz.de/werth/g_fak/penning.htm
you need a constant magnetic field of 3.765T or more. problem is conventional iron core electromagnets are only capable of 1.6T. there are superconductor magnets but i don't have the monies for those. :/

there are other materials i could use for the iron core design for instance i could use Mu-metal (melting point?) for a core material and a tantalum alloy for wire due to its high melting point. therefore making it possible to throw more amperes at it.

any suggestions/comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Valerie Park]

Another option you could consider is using a Halbach array. A Halbach array is a special arrangement of permanent magnets that can create a magnetic field on one side while canceling the field on the other side. This makes it possible to increase the strength of the magnetic field without having to increase the amount of current. You can find more information about Halbach arrays here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halbach_array. This could be a cost-effective way to increase the strength of the magnetic field of your electromagnet.

 

[charng]

I am excited to hear about your personal project and your interest in constructing an electron trap. It is great to see individuals taking initiative and exploring scientific concepts on their own.

From your research, it seems like you have a good understanding of the necessary components for an electron trap, including the need for a strong magnetic field. However, I understand the challenge you are facing with limited resources and the high cost of superconductor magnets.

I would suggest exploring alternative options for constructing your electromagnet. As you mentioned, Mu-metal and tantalum alloy are potential materials that could work well for the core and wire, respectively. You could also consider using rare earth magnets, which have a higher magnetic field strength than iron core magnets.

Additionally, you could try to increase the efficiency of your electromagnet by optimizing the design and using advanced techniques such as cryogenic cooling. This could potentially allow you to achieve a stronger magnetic field with the same amount of power input.

Lastly, I would recommend reaching out to experts in the field for advice and guidance. They may have additional suggestions or be able to provide resources and materials that could help with your project.

Overall, don't be discouraged by the limitations of your resources. With determination and creativity, you may be able to construct an electron trap that meets your goals. Best of luck with your project!