The neutron-induced positron source NEPOMUC at the FRM II provides a mono-energetic positron beam of high intensity of the order of 10 9 moderated positrons per second. The new layout of NEPOMUC upgrade is presented and the constraints for operating an in-pile positron source at a research reactor are discussed. Inside the tip of the new beam tube, 80% 113 Cdenriched Cd is used as a neutron-γ -converter that has a projected lifetime of 25 years of reactor operation and thus ensures positron beam experiments in the long term. The source consists of Pt foils that both generate positrons, by pair production, and moderate them. The layout of these foils, the electric lenses and the magnetic fields for positron extraction and beam formation have been improved. In addition to a higher beam intensity, it is expected that the beam brightness will improve by at least one order of magnitude. The present and planned experiments range from fundamental studies in nuclear, atomic and plasma physics to high-sensitivity and element-selective investigations in surface and solid state physics to applications in materials science. The upgrade of several positron spectrometers as well as new positron beam experiments are presented. In addition, a new switching and remoderation unit will allow us to toggle from the high-intensity primary beam to a brightness enhanced remoderated positron beam.

We have demonstrated efficient injection and trapping of a cold positron beam in a dipole magnetic field configuration. The intense 5 eV positron beam was provided by the NEutron induced POsitron source MUniCh facility at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum, and transported into the confinement region of the dipole field trap generated by a supported, permanent magnet with 0.6 T strength at the pole faces. We achieved transport into the region of field lines that do not intersect the outer wall using the E B drift of the positron beam between a pair of tailored plates that created the electric field. We present evidence that up to 38% of the beam particles are able to reach the intended confinement region and make at least a 180°rotation around the magnet where they annihilate on an insertable target. When the target is removed and the E B plate voltages are switched off, confinement of a small population persists for on the order of 1 ms. These results lend optimism to our larger aims to apply a magnetic dipole field configuration for trapping of both positrons and electrons in order to test predictions of the unique properties of a pair plasma.

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