First capture of antiprotons in an ion trap: Progress toward a precision mass measurement and antihydrogen

G. Gabrielse, X. Fei, L. Haarsma, S. L. Rolston, R. Tjoelker, T. A. Trainor, H. Kalinowsky, J. Haas, W. Kells

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Antiprotons from the Low Energy Antiproton Ring of CERN are slowed from 21 MeV to below 3 keV by being passed through 3 mm of material, mostly Be. While still in flight, the kilo-electron volt antiprotons are captured in a Penning trap created by the sudden application of a 3-kV potential. Antiprotons are held for 100 s and more. Prospects are now excellent for much longer trapping times under better vacuum conditions. This demonstrates the feasibility of a greatly improved measurement of the inertial mass of the antiproton and opens the way to other intriguing experiments. The possibility of producing antihydrogen by merging cold, trapped plasmas of positrons and antiprotons is discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)36-40
Number of pages5
JournalPhysica Scripta
Volume1988
Issue numberT22
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Mathematical Physics
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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