The Electron Beam Ion Trap: A New Instrument for Atomic Physics Measurements

Abstract

An electron beam ion trap has been built for the production of very-highly-charged ions and the study of their collisions with electrons. A high density electron beam is used to trap, ionize and excite the ions for spectroscopic measurements. X-ray spectra from neon-like Ba46+ are reported and a theory of "evaporative" cooling is developed to explain why these ions are retained in the trap for surprisingly long times.