Injection radius in a Penning trap

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SUMMARY

The initial radius of an ion injected into a Penning trap is not precisely known until measured, as it varies based on the loading method. The probability distribution for loading ions differs significantly between experiments, such as the ALPHA experiment and the electron g-2 measurement. The expectation value of the radial position is influenced by the velocity distribution of the ions and the trapping potential or magnetic field strength, depending on whether the ions are loaded axially or radially.

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  • Understanding of Penning trap physics
  • Familiarity with ion loading techniques
  • Knowledge of probability distributions in experimental physics
  • Basic principles of magnetic fields and trapping potentials
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  • Research the ALPHA experiment's ion loading methods
  • Study the electron g-2 measurement techniques
  • Explore the effects of magnetic field strength on ion behavior in Penning traps
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Physicists, experimental researchers, and students interested in ion trapping techniques and the dynamics of Penning traps.

Malamala
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Hello! When an ion is injected in a Penning trap, how well is its initial radius know? I understand that usually people use cooling mechanism to reduce that radius as much as needed, but I was wondering in the beginning, before the cooling starts, how small is the radius of the ion and how well is it know? Thank you!
 
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Not sure I understand the question. It isn't known until it's measured. Typically the initial position of an ion depends on how it's loaded to the trap. I am sure the probability distribution for loading an ion would be very different in the ALPHA experiment compared to the electron g-2 measurement (for example).

The most general answer I can give is that the expectation value of the radial position of the ion is determined by the velocity distribution of the ions being loaded and trapping potential (if loading axially) or the strength of the magnetic field (if loading radially).
 

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