A simple radionuclide-driven single-ion source

作者：Diez M Montero^*; Twelker K; Fairbank W Jr; Gratta G; Barbeau P S; Barry K; DeVoe R; Dolinski M J; Green M; LePort F; Mueller A R; Neilson R; O'Sullivan K; Ackerman N; Aharmin B; Auger M; Benitez Medina C; Breidenbach M; Burenkov A; Cook S; Daniels T; Donato K; Farine J; Giroux G; Gornea R; Graham K; Hagemann C; Hall C; Hall K; Hallman D; Hargrove C; Herrin S; Karelin A; Kaufman L J; Kuchenkov A; Kumar K; Lacey J

来源：Review of Scientific Instruments, 2010, 81(11): 113301.

DOI：10.1063/1.3499505

We describe a source capable of producing single barium ions through nuclear recoils in radioactive decay. The source is fabricated by electroplating Gd-148 onto a silicon alpha-particle detector and vapor depositing a layer of BaF2 over it. Sm-144 recoils from the alpha decay of Gd-148 are used to dislodge Ba+ ions from the BaF2 layer and emit them in the surrounding environment. The simultaneous detection of an alpha particle in the substrate detector allows for tagging of the nuclear decay and of the Ba+ emission. The source is simple, durable, and can be manipulated and used in different environments. We discuss the fabrication process, which can be easily adapted to emit most other chemical species, and the performance of the source.

• 出版日期2010-11