LD

Atomic and nuclear physics

Physics
Introductory experiments
Leaflets P6.1.6.1
Paul trap

Observing individual lycopod

spores in a Paul trap

Objects of the experiment

g Observing lycopod spores in a Paul trap with varying suspension and offset voltages and orientations of the trap
g Observing a single lycopod spore in the center of the trap

Principles
Spectroscopic measurements of atomic energy levels are Apparatus
normally impaired by the motion of the atoms under study
with respect to the radiation source. This motion shifts and 1 Paul trap .......................................................558 80
broadens the spectral lines due to the Doppler effect, which 1 He-Ne-Laser, linearly polarized ....................471 830
becomes strongly apparent in high-resolution spectroscopy. 1 Lens f = 5 mm...............................................460 01
The influence of the Doppler effect is reduced when individual 1 Auxiliary bench, 0.5 m ..................................460 34
atoms are enclosed in a small volume for spectroscopic or
measurements. For charged particles (ions), this can be 1 Precision optical bench, 1 m.........................460 32
achieved using the ion trap developed by W. Paul in the 3 Optics rider ...................................................460 373
1950's. It consists of two rotationally symmetrical cover elec- 1 Power supply 450 V DC ...............................522 27
trodes and one ring electrode. The application of an AC volt- 1 Variable extra low voltage transformer S......521 35
age generates a time-dependent, parabolic potential with the 1 U-core with yoke...........................................562 11
form 1 Clamping device ...........................................562 12
r2 − 2 z2 1 Extra low voltage coil, 50 turns .....................562 18
U (r , z , t ) = U 0 ⋅ cos ω t ⋅ 1 Coil with 10,000 turns ...................................562 16
2 r02 1 Measuring resistor 10 MΩ .............................536 211
1 Multimeter LD-analog 20 ..............................531 120
z : coordinate on the axis of symmetry,
1 Safety connection lead, 100 cm, black .........500 644
r : coordinate perpendicular to axis of symmetry,
2 Safety connection lead, 50 cm, black ...........500 624
r0 : inside radius of ring electrode 1 Safety connection lead, 100 cm, red ............500 641
An ion with the charge q and the mass m remains trapped in 1 Safety connection lead, 100 cm, blue...........500 642
this potential when the conditions 1 Set of 6 safety adapter sockets ....................500 98
2 Pair of cables, 50 cm, red and blue ..............501 45
q r02 ⋅ ω 2 1 Connection lead, 100 cm, yellow/green........500 440
0 .4 ⋅ α < < 1 .2 ⋅ α where α= 1 Distribution box.............................................502 04
m U0
are fulfilled. Safety notes
The experiment demonstrates how a Paul trap works using a Contact-hazardous high voltages can occur when operating
model which can be operated with no special requirements at the Paul trap.
standard air pressure and with 50 Hz AC. When a suitable
voltage amplitude U0 is set, it is possible to trap lycopod spo- • When working with contact-hazardous voltages sources,
res for several hours and observe them under laser light. always be sure to use a series resistor.
Tilting of the entire ion trap causes the trapped particles to • Connect the Paul trap only via safety connecting leads.
move radially within the ring electrode. When a voltage is
applied between the cover electrodes, it is possible to shift • Make sure all supply units are switched off before con-
the potential along the z-axis. necting the apparatus.
The He-Ne laser fulfills the European technical standard
"Safety of laser equipment” – EN 60825-1 for class 2 lasers.
When the precautions described in the Instruction Sheet are
Kem 1006

observed, experimenting with the He-Ne laser is not danger-

ous.
• Never look directly into the direct or reflected laser beam.
• Do not exceed the glare limit (i.e. no observer should feel
dazzled).

LD Didactic GmbH . Leyboldstrasse 1 . D-50354 Hürth . Phone: (02233) 604-0 . Fax: (02233) 604-222 . e-mail: [email protected]

 by LD Didactic GmbH Printed in the Federal Republic of Germany

Technical alterations reserved
P6.1.6.1 -2- LD Physics Leaflets

Set up Carrying out the experiment

- Set the suspension voltage U0 to approximately 1000 V by
setting the primary voltage of the variable transformer to
5 V.
- Using the wooden stick, take some lycopod spores from
the bottle and place them in the center of the Paul trap
through the filling opening.
- Find stability limits of the Paul trap by varying the suspen-
sion voltage U0.
- Displace the trapped lycopod spores axially in the Paul
trap by varying the offset voltage U1.
- Displace the trapped lycopod spores radially from the
center of the trap by turning the cylindrical housing.
- By increasing and decreasing the suspension voltage U0
and the offset voltage U1 it is possible to get a single lyco-
pod spore inside the trap. Displace the single lycopod
spore by varying the offset voltage U1.

Fig. 1: Optical setup

Optical setup:
Observing example
Mount the Paul trap and the He-Ne-laser in optic riders on the
optical bench with a distance of 30 to 40 cm.
Adjust the laser and the Paul trap, so that the laser beam
transmits the holes of the ring electrode.
Adjust lens f = 5 mm, so that the room between the outer
electrodes is illuminated by the beam of the laser.

Fig. 3 (left): Lycopod spores inside the Paul trap

Fig. 4 (right): One single lycopod spore in the center of the Paul trap

Evaluation
With the model of the Paul trap it is possible to capture small
electrical charged particles in a little region (of the quadrupol
field).
Oscillating particles can be seen as small stripes, which show
the orientation of the electric field. The location depends on
Fig. 2: Electrical setup the amplitude of the suspension voltage U0 , the offset volt-
age U1 and the orientation of the trap.
Electrical set up:
Variation of the offset voltage U1 leads to a vertical shift. The
Set up the transformer with primary coil 50 turns and secon-
direction depends on the polarity of the offset voltage U1 and
dary coil 10,000 turns.
the charge of the particles.
Connect the Paul trap as shown in fig. 2. Use the resistor
10 MΩ and the electrical earth of the distribution box. One single particle can be held without visible oscillation in
the center of the trap.
For measuring the primary voltage connect the multimeter to
the output of the variable transformer.

LD Didactic GmbH . Leyboldstrasse 1 . D-50354 Hürth . Phone: (02233) 604-0 . Fax: (02233) 604-222 . e-mail: [email protected]

 by LD Didactic GmbH Printed in the Federal Republic of Germany

Technical alterations reserved
10/98-Pr-

Instruction sheet 558 80

1 1b
1a Paul Trap (558 80)
1c
2
2a
3a
2b

3b

1 Cylinder housing 1 Description

Outer electrodes (1a), safety sockets for outer electrodes
(1b), filling opening (1c) The Paul trap is a function model of the ion trap designed by E.
2 Housing cover Paul. It can be operated with a 50 Hz AC voltage at standard
Ring electrode (2a), safety socket for ring electrode (2b) atmospheric pressure. This apparatus enables charged lyco-
3 Holder pod spores to be suspended in a stable manner between the
Swivel bearing (3a), rod (3b) electrodes. The paths of the charged spores can be observed
by irradiating them with laser light.
The Paul trap consists of two rotationally symmetrical outer
electrodes and one ring electrode. When a suitable AC voltage
U0 cos wt is applied, the resulting potential can suspend the
lycopod spores for several hours. The potential gradient can be
observed axially by applying a static potential difference U1 be-
tween the outside electrodes and radially by turning the cylinder
housing.

2 Scope of supply
1 Paul trap
10 g lycopod spores in bottle with screw cap
Safety notes.
1 Wooden stick

Contact-hazardous high voltages can occur when operating

the Paul trap. 3 Technical data
• When working with contact-hazardous voltage sources, al-
ways be sure to use a series resistor. Suspension voltage U0: approx. 800 ... 1500 V
Operating frequency f: approx. 40 ... 60 Hz
• Connect the Paul trap only via safety connecting leads.
Offset voltage U1: approx. 0 ... ±450 V
• Make sure all supply units are switched off before connec-
ting the apparatus Dimensions: 20 cm × 10 cm × 9 cm
Weight: 0.4 kg
page 2/2 Instruction sheet 558 80

4 Operation
4.1 Optical configuration: 4.2 Electrical assembly:

HELIUM NEON GAS LASER LASER

0-450 V 10 MΩ
0-20 V
40-60 Hz

N: 10 000 N: 50

− Set up the optical configuration so that the interior space of Additionally recommended:
the ring electrode is illuminated by the broadened laser beam.
Step-up transformer with a turn ratio of 1:200, e.g.:
1 U-core with yoke 562 11
1 Clamping device 562 12
Additionally recommended:
1 Extra-low voltage coil with 50 turns 562 18
1 He-Ne laser, linearly polarized 471 840 1 Coil with 10,000 turns 562 16
1 Lens in holder, f = + 5 mm 460 01 1 Measuring resistor 10 MΩ, 1 W 536 211
1 Optical bench e.g. 460 34
3 Optics riders e.g. 460 351 AC voltage source 0 ... 20 V, e.g.:
Variable extra-low voltage transformer S 521 35
or
Power function generator 522 63

Recommended for generating the offset voltage U1:

1 Power supply 450 V DC 460 351

5 Carrying out the experiment 6 Care and maintenance

− Set the suspension voltage U0 to approx. 1000 V. − Remove the housing cover and blow out the lycopod spores.
− Using the wooden stick, take some lycopod spores from the − When replacing the housing cover, make sure that the ring
bottle and place them in the center of the Paul trap through electrode is parallel to the outer electrodes.
the filling opening. − Clean the acrylic glass housing using only mild cleansers.
− Find the stability limits of the Paul trap by varying the suspen-
sion voltage U0.
− Displace the trapped lycopod spores axially in the Paul trap
depending on the polarity of the offset voltage U1.
− Displace the lycopod spores radially from the center of the
trap by turning the cylindrical housing.
− When using a function generator, it is possible to determine
the stability limits of the Paul trap with respect to frequency.

LEYBOLD DIDACTIC GMBH ⋅ Leyboldstrasse 1 ⋅ D-50354Hürth ⋅ Phone (02233) 604-0 ⋅ Telefax (02233) 604-222 ⋅ e-mail: [email protected]
© by Leybold Didactic GmbH Printed in the Federal Republic of Germany
Technical alterations reserved