Simulating the stopping dynamics of highly charged ions in an ultra-cold, strongly coupled plasma

We introduce a method for stopping highly charged ions (HCIs) in a laser-cooled one-component plasma (OCP) of ²⁴Mg⁺ ions and present results on stopping times derived from realistic molecular dynamics simulations of the complete stopping process. This stopping scheme can provide ultra-cold highly charged ions for future in-trap precision mass measurements. The choice of an ultra-cold ion plasma as a stopping medium is governed by the almost negligible charge exchange of the HCI with the laser-cooled ions and the very low temperatures which can be reached. In our analysis we focus on the stability and fast recooling of the plasma – two features essential for the experimental realization of this stopping scheme.