Influence of geometrical perturbations on the ion motional frequencies in a Paul trap

TL;DR

This study investigates how geometrical perturbations, such as filament insertion, affect ion motional frequencies in a 3-D quadrupole trap through theoretical simulations and experimental validation.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of the impact of geometrical distortions on ion frequencies, combining analytical modeling, numerical simulations, and experimental data.

Findings

Geometrical perturbations cause measurable shifts in ion secular frequencies.

Theoretical models accurately predict frequency shifts observed experimentally.

Insertion of filament significantly alters the trap's potential and ion dynamics.

Abstract

The effect of geometrical perturbations on ion oscillation frequencies in a 3-D quadrupole trap is analyzed by theoretical simulations and compared with the experimental results. Theoretically, the distorted potential within this non-ideal trap caused by the insertion of filament has been simulated. An analytical expression for the potential is then fitted and numerical solution of the equations of trapped ion motion is obtained. Motional frequencies are then calculated from the Fourier transformation of the simulated ion trajectories at any given trapping potential and compared with our experimental findings. The shift in the secular frequency with respect to the level of insertion of the filament within the trap is evaluated.