Leak-Out Spectroscopy, A Universal Method of Action Spectroscopy in Cold Ion Traps

A novel method of spectroscopy in ion traps termed leak-out spectroscopy (LOS) is presented. Here, mass-selected, cold ions are excited by an infrared laser. In a subsequent collision with a neutral buffer gas particle, their internal energy is then transferred to kinetic energy. As a result, these ions leak out from the ion trap and are detected. The LOS scheme is generally applicable, very sensitive, and close to background-free when operated at low temperature. The potential of this method is demonstrated and characterized here for the first time by recording the rotationally resolved spectrum of the C-H stretching vibration ν₁ of linear C₃H⁺. Besides performing high-resolution spectroscopy, this method opens up the way for analyzing the composition of trap content, for example, determining isomer ratios, by selectively expelling isomers or other isobaric ions from the trap. Likewise, LOS can be used to prepare clean samples of structural and nuclear spin isomers.