Control of the conformations of ion Coulomb crystals in a Penning trap

Laser-cooled atomic ions form ordered structures in radiofrequency ion traps and in Penning traps. Here we demonstrate in a Penning trap the creation and manipulation of a wide variety of ion Coulomb crystals formed from small numbers of ions. The configuration can be changed from a linear string, through intermediate geometries, to a planar structure. The transition from a linear string to a zigzag geometry is observed for the first time in a Penning trap. The conformations of the crystals are set by the applied trap potential and the laser parameters, and agree with simulations. These simulations indicate that the rotation frequency of a small crystal is mainly determined by the laser parameters, independent of the number of ions and the axial confinement strength. This system has potential applications for quantum simulation, quantum information processing and tests of fundamental physics models from quantum field theory to cosmology

Control of the conformations of ion Coulomb crystals in a Penning trap

Ion Coulomb crystals containing small numbers of ions have been created and manipulated in a wide range of configurations in a Penning trap, from a linear string, through various three-dimensional conformations, to a planar crystal. We show that the dynamics of the system simplifies enormously in a frame which rotates at half the cyclotron frequency and we discuss the effect of the radial cooling laser beam in this frame. Simulations show that the crystal conformations can be reproduced by finding the minimum energy configuration in a frame whose radial potential is modified by the rotation of the ion crystal. The rotation frequency of the crystal deduced from the simulations is consistent with the known laser parameters. We also show that even though the number of ions in our system is small (typically less than 20), the system still behaves like a plasma and its static properties can be calculated using the standard model for a single-component plasma in a tra

Control of the conformations of ion Coulomb crystals in a Penning trap

Ion Coulomb crystals containing small numbers of ions have been created and manipulated in a wide range of configurations in a Penning trap, from a linear string, through various three-dimensional conformations, to a planar crystal. We show that the dynamics of the system simplifies enormously in a frame which rotates at half the cyclotron frequency and we discuss the effect of the radial cooling laser beam in this frame. Simulations show that the crystal conformations can be reproduced by finding the minimum energy configuration in a frame whose radial potential is modified by the rotation of the ion crystal. The rotation frequency of the crystal deduced from the simulations is consistent with the known laser parameters. We also show that even though the number of ions in our system is small (typically less than 20), the system still behaves like a plasma and its static properties can be calculated using the standard model for a single-component plasma in a tra

Perceived stress levels among undergraduate pharmacy students in the UK

To measure perceived stress levels among the students on a professional pharmacy degree in the UK, and to compare these to US-based students. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was employed to measure stress levels among a sample taken from each of the four years of an MPharm program. ANOVA and the independent pairs t-test were applied to compare demographic groups from within each sample. The questionnaire was completed by 216 (38.6%) pharmacy students at the University of Hertfordshire. Only the sex of the participant had a significant effect on perceived stress. Stress levels for students in their third year of study were in good agreement with those reported by an earlier study in relation to third year PharmD students at an American university. This pilot study demonstrates that the stress perceived by students on a UK-based undergraduate pharmacy program is comparable to that of US students the same progression point on a graduate professional degree.Peer reviewe

Laser cooling of externally produced Mg ions in a Penning trap for sympathetic cooling of highly charged ions

We have performed laser cooling of Mg ions confined in a Penning trap. The externally produced ions were captured in flight, stored and laser cooled. Laser-induced fluorescence was observed perpendicular to the cooling laser axis. Optical detection down to the single ion level together with electronic detection of the ion oscillations inside the Penning trap have been used to acquire information on the ion storage time, ion number and ion temperature. Evidence for formation of ion crystals has been observed. These investigations are an important prerequisite for sympathetic cooling of simultaneously stored highly-charged ions and precision laser spectroscopy of forbidden transitions in these.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figures, 2 table