The setup of the high-precision Penning-trap mass spectrometer PENTATRAP and first production studies of highly charged ions

The five-Penning-trap mass spectrometer PENTATRAP is a novel high-precision experiment located at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Heidelberg. PENTATRAP aims for an accuracy of up to a few parts in 10^12 for mass ratios of long-lived highly charged nuclides up to uranium. A physics program for PENTATRAP includes, e.g., measurements of Q-values of relevant beta-transitions for neutrino physics, stringent tests of quantum electrodynamics in extreme electromagnetic fields, and a test of special relativity. Thanks to a multi-trap configuration various fast measurement schemes comprising simultaneous frequency measurements can be applied. Further main features of PENTATRAP are highly sensitive cryogenic non-destructive detection systems and the access to highly charged ions via the small PENTATRAP-EBIT and the Heidelberg-EBIT. In the context of the present thesis, the assembly of this world-wide unique facility was started and was considerably put forward. The ion transport and capture in the Penning-traps was simulated and a multitude of operational test, e.g., the investigation of the magnetic field of the superconducting magnet were performed. A magnetic field compensation system and the instrumentally challenging cryogenic translation and tilt system were built up and characterized. Furthermore, the highly tolerated Penning traps were designed, built and assembled. The first installation of the cryogenic assembly including the first cabling of the Penning traps finally allowed the first cool down of the experiment. Moreover, the successful installation of the PENTATRAP-EBIT was performed and the first production of highly charged rhenium and osmium ions which are required for Q-value measurements was demonstrated and optimized