Doppler velocimetry of cryogenic ion plasmas

Authors :: John J. Bollinger
J M. Kriesel
Wayne M. Itano
T. B. Mitchell
Daniel H. E. Dubin
Source :: IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science. 30:16-17
Publication Year :: 2002
Publisher :: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2002.
Abstract: We describe a technique and present results for imaging wakes and modes excited in a laser-cooled plasma of /sup 9/Be/sup +/ ions in a cylindrical Penning trap. Wakes are created by an off-axis laser "push" beam, while individual modes are excited by sinusoidally time-varying potentials applied to the trap endcaps. Variations in ion velocities are imaged by changes in the ion fluorescence due to Doppler shifts. A comparison between theory and experiment shows good agreement.