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Updated: Feb 9, 2026

Experimental Methods for Trapping Ions Using Microfabricated Surface Ion Traps
Published on: August 17, 2017
A short response time atomic source for trapped ion experiments
T G Ballance1, J F Goodwin1, B Nichol1
1Clarendon Laboratory, Parks Rd., Oxford OX1 3PU, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Ion traps are often loaded from atomic beams produced by resistively heated ovens. We demonstrate an atomic oven which has been designed for fast control of the atomic flux density and reproducible construction. We study the limiting time constants of the system and, in tests with 40Ca, show that we can reach the desired level of flux in 12 s, with no overshoot. Our results indicate that it may be possible to achieve an even faster response by applying an appropriate one-off heat treatment to the oven before it is used.
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