Atom trap trace analysis

Abstract

A new method of ultrasensitive trace-isotope analysis has been developed based upon the technique of laser manipulation of neutral atoms. It has been used to count individual 85 Kr and 81 Kr atoms present in a natural krypton sample with isotopic abundances in the range of 10-11 and 10-13 , respectively. The atom counts are free of contamination from other isotopes, elements, or molecules. The method is applicable to other trace-isotopes that can be efficiently captured with a magneto-optical trap, and has a broad range of potential applications.

Deep-Sea and Lunar Radioisotopes from Nearby Astrophysical Explosions

“…The most sensitive techniques for identifying longer-lived radionuclides are direct atom counting techniques, in particular AMS (115)(116)(117). While in principle other techniques have also demonstrated high measurement sensitivity (118,119) or also high selectivity (120), only AMS has been successful in detecting traces of interstellar radionuclides in terrestrial or lunar archives.…”

“…This includes new isobar-suppression capabilities in AMS (170)(171)(172). Other potential methods of interest are resonant-ionization mass spectrometry (RIMS) (118,119) and atom trap trace analysis (ATTA) (120), which can provide ultrasensitivity.…”