Ultrasensitive detection of radioactive cesium isotopes using a magneto-optical trap

Michael D. Di Rosa; Scott G. Crane; Jason J. Kitten; Wayne A. Taylor; David Vieira; Xinxin Zhao

doi:10.1117/12.463836

28 March 2002 Ultrasensitive detection of radioactive cesium isotopes using a magneto-optical trap

Michael D. Di Rosa, Scott G. Crane, Jason J. Kitten, Wayne A. Taylor, David Vieira, Xinxin Zhao

Proceedings Volume 4634, Methods for Ultrasensitive Detection II; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.463836
Event: High-Power Lasers and Applications, 2002, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

We report the first magneto-optical trapping of radioactive ¹³⁵Cs and ¹³⁷Cs and a promising means for detecting these isotopes to ultrasensitive levels by using a magneto-optical trap (MOT) coupled to a mass separator. A sample containing both isotopes was placed in the source of a mass separator, ionized, mass separated, and implanted in a Zr foil within the MOT cell. After implantation, atoms were released from the foil by inductive heating and then captured in a MOT that used large diameter beams and a dry-film-coated cell to achieve high trapping efficiency. MOT fluorescence signals were measured for trapped-atom numbers from 10⁴ to 10⁷ and were found to increase linearly with the number of atoms implanted in the foil. The slope of signal versus number implanted was equal for each isotope to within 4%, signifying our ability to measure ¹³⁷Cs/¹³⁵Cs ratios to within 4% for MOT signal levels exceeding that associated with our present detection limit of 4000 trapped atoms. The MOT-based detection scheme was shown capable of suppressing interference from stable ¹³³Cs by more than seven orders of magnitude. Including an isotopic selectivity of 10⁵ of the mass separator, the overall suppression of ¹³³Cs in the case of detecting either ¹³⁵Cs and ¹³⁷Cs is expected to exceed 10¹². At present, the overall sample detection sensitivity is less than one million atoms.

Citation Download Citation

Michael D. Di Rosa, Scott G. Crane, Jason J. Kitten, Wayne A. Taylor, David Vieira, and Xinxin Zhao "Ultrasensitive detection of radioactive cesium isotopes using a magneto-optical trap", Proc. SPIE 4634, Methods for Ultrasensitive Detection II, (28 March 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.463836

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