First steps in the development of the Multi Ion Reflection Apparatus for Collinear Laser Spectroscopy

Collinear laser spectroscopy (CLS) has been combined with the multi-reflection time-of-flight (MR-ToF) technique. To this end, a photodetection system has been implemented at the drift region of a MR-ToF apparatus and a laser beam has been sent along the path of the ions that are stored between the two ion-optical mirrors. The main goal of the present proof-of-principle (PoP) experiments, is the confirmation of the expected increase in sensitivity compared to conventional fluorescence-based CLS due to the repeated probing of the trapped ion bunches. The novel method will be used for the precise measurement of nuclear ground- and isomeric-state properties of exotic nuclei with low production yields at radioactive ion-beam facilities. A significant sensitivity improvement of CLS is expected, depending on the half-life and mass of the nuclide of interest. The status of the PoP setup and future improvements are discussed.