Probing Nuclear Excitation by Electron Capture in an Electron Beam Ion Trap with Non-destructive Isomer Detection via Precision Mass Spectrometry

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel experimental method using an electron beam ion trap and precision mass spectrometry to detect nuclear excitation by electron capture (NEEC) in a background-free environment, aiming to conclusively verify NEEC.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach combining electron beam ion trapping and mass spectrometry to observe NEEC, overcoming previous background noise challenges.

Findings

Demonstrates measurable detection rates of NEEC in $^{189}$Os.

Shows feasibility of using Penning-trap mass spectrometry for isomer detection.

Proposes a near-future experimental realization of the method.

Abstract

Nuclear excitation by electron capture (NEEC) is an important nuclear excitation mechanism which still lacks conclusive experimental verification. This is primarily attributed to strong background x-/$\gamma$-ray noise and competing nuclear excitation processes which would overshadow the signals in various environments that NEEC takes place. Here, we propose an experimental approach to observe the NEEC process within a background-free environment. Through collisions with a highly-compressed mono-energetic electron beam in an electron beam ion trap, nuclei may get excited to a long-lived isomeric state via the NEEC process. Subsequently, ions can be extracted and Penning-trap mass spectrometry employed to unambiguously detect the isomer. Our study focuses on the promising candidate $^{189}\mathrm{Os}$, demonstrating measurable detection rates of the NEEC process and discussing the feasibility of the proposed approach. This new approach for observing the NEEC process may be realized in the near future.