A linear Paul trap for radiative lifetime measurements on ions

A linear ion trap has been designed for collimation and storage of ions from an effusive particle beam generated in a hollow cathode discharge. The motivation is to measure radiative lifetimes on multiply ionized atoms by using the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique. The trap has been tested on iron and tungsten ions both as an ion guide and also as a storing device. Radiative lifetimes have been measured in the trap with a remarkably higher signal-to-noise ratio than in the original effusive atom beam.