A tandem Paul-Penning trap mass measurement system for radionuclides

A new high-precision atomic mass measurement technique based on a tandem Penning trap system is described. Data from the mass measurements of rubidium and strontium are analyzed to reveal what information desirable for nuclear physics can be extracted and to indicate the limitations in the presently employed set up at the ISOLDE facility at CERN. The possibility of substantially improving the Penning trap collection efficiency through the use of a Paul (radio-frequency quadrupole) ion trap as a collection device for preparing the radionuclides before the measurement system is then presented. Results from engineering tests on the performance of the Paul trap at the ISOLDE facility are discussed. The work concludes with suggestions for the design of feasible system to capture 100% of weak ISOLDE beams. This new system is to be incorporated into the Penning trap set up at the newly constructed ISOLDE-BOOSTER facility