Principles of the stored ion calorimeter

Abstract

The properties of a harmonically bound radiatively thermalized ion gas were investigated by studying the behavior of an electron cloud stored in a Penning trap. A simple model characterizing ions contained in an electromagnetic trap is proposed and tested by investigating the electromagnetic−dynamic behavior of these electrons subject to various external perturbations. The ion calorimeter realized in such a system is also discussed; particular attention is devoted to sensitivity to heat inputs into the various degrees of freedom.