3D-Printable Model of a Particle Trap: Development and Use in the Physics Classroom

Quadrupole ion traps are modern and versatile research tools used in mass spectrometers, in atomic frequency and time standards, in trapped ion quantum computing research, and for trapping anti-hydrogen ions at CERN. Despite their educational potential, quadrupole ion traps are seldom introduced into the physics classroom not least because commercial quadrupole ion traps appropriate for classroom use are expensive and difficult to set up. We present an open hardware 3D-printable quadrupole ion trap suitable for the classroom, which is capable of trapping lycopodium spores. We also provide student worksheets developed in an iterative design process, which can guide students while discovering particle traps. The quadrupole ion trap operates using a 3 kV 50 Hz alternating current power supply and uses an astable multivibrator circuit including high luminosity LEDs to illuminate the spores, using the stroboscopic effect to exhibit their movement. The trap can be used in teaching laboratories to enhance high school and university students’ understanding of electric fields and their applications.