The TITAN in-trap decay spectroscopy facility at TRIUMF

TL;DR

This paper describes an upgraded in-trap decay spectroscopy setup at TRIUMF's TITAN facility, enhancing detection sensitivity for low-energy photons and enabling studies of radioactive ions relevant to double beta decay.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel in-trap decay spectroscopy apparatus with improved photon detection and ion confinement capabilities for nuclear physics research.

Findings

Significant increase in low-energy photon detection sensitivity.

Successful commissioning of the upgraded apparatus.

Potential to measure weak electron-capture branching ratios.

Abstract

This article presents an upgraded in-trap decay spectroscopy apparatus which has been developed and constructed for use with TRIUMF's Ion Trap for Atomic and Nuclear science (TITAN). This device consists of an open-access electron-beam ion-trap (EBIT), which is surrounded radially by seven low-energy planar Si(Li) detectors. The environment of the EBIT allows for the detection of low-energy photons by providing backing-free storage of the radioactive ions, while guiding charged decay particles away from the trap centre via the strong (up to 6 T) magnetic field. In addition to excellent ion confinement and storage, the EBIT also provides a venue for performing decay spectroscopy on highly-charged radioactive ions. Recent technical advancements have been able to provide a significant increase in sensitivity for low-energy photon detection, towards the goal of measuring weak electron-capture branching ratios of the intermediate nuclei in the two-neutrino double beta ($2\nu\beta\beta$) decay process. The design, development, and commissioning of this apparatus are presented together with the main physics objectives. The future of the device and experimental technique are discussed.