LD
Atomic and nuclear physics
Introductory experiments
Paul trap
Objects of the experiment
g Observing lycopod spores in a Paul trap with varying suspension and offset voltages and orientations of the trap
g Observing a single lycopod spore in the center of the trap
Principles
Spectroscopic measurements of atomic energy levels are
normally impaired by the motion of the atoms under study
with respect to the radiation source. This motion shifts and
broadens the spectral lines due to the Doppler effect, which
becomes strongly apparent in high-resolution spectroscopy.
The influence of the Doppler effect is reduced when individual
atoms are enclosed in a small volume for spectroscopic
measurements. For charged particles (ions), this can be
achieved using the ion trap developed by W. Paul in the
1950's. It consists of two rotationally symmetrical cover elec-
trodes and one ring electrode. The application of an AC volt-
age generates a time-dependent, parabolic potential with the
form
r2 − 2 z2
U (r , z , t ) = U 0 ⋅ cos ω t ⋅
2 r02
z : coordinate on the axis of symmetry,
r : coordinate perpendicular to axis of symmetry,
r0 : inside radius of ring electrode
An ion with the charge q and the mass m remains trapped in
this potential when the conditions
q r02 ⋅ ω 2
0 .4 ⋅ α < < 1 .2 ⋅ α where α=
m U0
are fulfilled.
The experiment demonstrates how a Paul trap works using a
model which can be operated with no special requirements at
standard air pressure and with 50 Hz AC. When a suitable
voltage amplitude U0 is set, it is possible to trap lycopod spo-
res for several hours and observe them under laser light.
Tilting of the entire ion trap causes the trapped particles to
move radially within the ring electrode. When a voltage is
applied between the cover electrodes, it is possible to shift
the potential along the z-axis.
Kem 1006
LD Didactic GmbH . Leyboldstrasse 1 . D-50354 Hürth
 by LD Didactic GmbH
Physics
Leaflets P6.1.6.1
Observing individual lycopod
spores in a Paul trap
Apparatus
1 Paul trap .......................................................558 80
1 He-Ne-Laser, linearly polarized ....................471 830
1 Lens f = 5 mm...............................................460 01
1 Auxiliary bench, 0.5 m ..................................460 34
or
1 Precision optical bench, 1 m.........................460 32
3 Optics rider ...................................................460 373
1 Power supply 450 V DC ...............................522 27
1 Variable extra low voltage transformer S......521 35
1 U-core with yoke...........................................562 11
1 Clamping device ...........................................562 12
1 Extra low voltage coil, 50 turns .....................562 18
1 Coil with 10,000 turns ...................................562 16
1 Measuring resistor 10 MΩ .............................536 211
1 Multimeter LD-analog 20 ..............................531 120
1 Safety connection lead, 100 cm, black .........500 644
2 Safety connection lead, 50 cm, black ...........500 624
1 Safety connection lead, 100 cm, red ............500 641
1 Safety connection lead, 100 cm, blue...........500 642
1 Set of 6 safety adapter sockets ....................500 98
2 Pair of cables, 50 cm, red and blue ..............501 45
1 Connection lead, 100 cm, yellow/green........500 440
1 Distribution box.............................................502 04
Safety notes
Contact-hazardous high voltages can occur when operating
the Paul trap.
• When working with contact-hazardous voltages sources,
always be sure to use a series resistor.
• Connect the Paul trap only via safety connecting leads.
• Make sure all supply units are switched off before con-
necting the apparatus.
The He-Ne laser fulfills the European technical standard
"Safety of laser equipment” – EN 60825-1 for class 2 lasers.
When the precautions described in the Instruction Sheet are
observed, experimenting with the He-Ne laser is not danger-
ous.
• Never look directly into the direct or reflected laser beam.
• Do not exceed the glare limit (i.e. no observer should feel
dazzled).
. Phone: (02233) 604-0 . Fax: (02233) 604-222 . e-mail: info@ld-didactic.de
Printed in the Federal Republic of Germany
Technical alterations reserved
P6.1.6.1
Set up
Fig. 1: Optical setup
Optical setup:
Mount the Paul trap and the He-Ne-laser in optic riders on the
optical bench with a distance of 30 to 40 cm.
Adjust the laser and the Paul trap, so that the laser beam
transmits the holes of the ring electrode.
Adjust lens f = 5 mm, so that the room between the outer
electrodes is illuminated by the beam of the laser.
Fig. 2: Electrical setup
Electrical set up:
Set up the transformer with primary coil 50 turns and secon-
dary coil 10,000 turns.
Connect the Paul trap as shown in fig. 2. Use the resistor
10 MΩ and the electrical earth of the distribution box.
For measuring the primary voltage connect the multimeter to
the output of the variable transformer.
LD Didactic GmbH . Leyboldstrasse 1 . D-50354 Hürth . Phone: (02233) 604-0 . Fax: (02233) 604-222 . e-mail: info@ld-didactic.de
 by LD Didactic GmbH
-2- LD Physics Leaflets
Carrying out the experiment
- Set the suspension voltage U0 to approximately 1000 V by
setting the primary voltage of the variable transformer to
5 V.
- Using the wooden stick, take some lycopod spores from
the bottle and place them in the center of the Paul trap
through the filling opening.
- Find stability limits of the Paul trap by varying the suspen-
sion voltage U0.
- Displace the trapped lycopod spores axially in the Paul
trap by varying the offset voltage U1.
- Displace the trapped lycopod spores radially from the
center of the trap by turning the cylindrical housing.
- By increasing and decreasing the suspension voltage U0
and the offset voltage U1 it is possible to get a single lyco-
pod spore inside the trap. Displace the single lycopod
spore by varying the offset voltage U1.
Observing example
Fig. 3 (left): Lycopod spores inside the Paul trap
Fig. 4 (right): One single lycopod spore in the center of the Paul trap
Evaluation
With the model of the Paul trap it is possible to capture small
electrical charged particles in a little region (of the quadrupol
field).
Oscillating particles can be seen as small stripes, which show
the orientation of the electric field. The location depends on
the amplitude of the suspension voltage U0 , the offset volt-
age U1 and the orientation of the trap.
Variation of the offset voltage U1 leads to a vertical shift. The
direction depends on the polarity of the offset voltage U1 and
the charge of the particles.
One single particle can be held without visible oscillation in
the center of the trap.
Printed in the Federal Republic of Germany
Technical alterations reserved
10/98-Pr-

Instruction sheet 558 80

1 1b
1a Paul Trap (558 80)
1c
2
2a
3a
2b

3b

1 Cylinder housing 1 Description

Outer electrodes (1a), safety sockets for outer electrodes
(1b), filling opening (1c) The Paul trap is a function model of the ion trap designed by E.
2 Housing cover Paul. It can be operated with a 50 Hz AC voltage at standard
Ring electrode (2a), safety socket for ring electrode (2b) atmospheric pressure. This apparatus enables charged lyco-
3 Holder pod spores to be suspended in a stable manner between the
Swivel bearing (3a), rod (3b) electrodes. The paths of the charged spores can be observed
by irradiating them with laser light.
The Paul trap consists of two rotationally symmetrical outer
electrodes and one ring electrode. When a suitable AC voltage
U0 cos wt is applied, the resulting potential can suspend the
lycopod spores for several hours. The potential gradient can be
observed axially by applying a static potential difference U1 be-
tween the outside electrodes and radially by turning the cylinder
housing.

2 Scope of supply
1 Paul trap
10 g lycopod spores in bottle with screw cap
Safety notes.
1 Wooden stick

Contact-hazardous high voltages can occur when operating

the Paul trap. 3 Technical data
• When working with contact-hazardous voltage sources, al-
ways be sure to use a series resistor. Suspension voltage U0: approx. 800 ... 1500 V
Operating frequency f: approx. 40 ... 60 Hz
• Connect the Paul trap only via safety connecting leads.
Offset voltage U1: approx. 0 ... ±450 V
• Make sure all supply units are switched off before connec-
ting the apparatus Dimensions: 20 cm × 10 cm × 9 cm
Weight: 0.4 kg
page 2/2 Instruction sheet 558 80

4 Operation
4.1 Optical configuration: 4.2 Electrical assembly:

HELIUM NEON GAS LASER LASER

0-450 V 10 MΩ
0-20 V
40-60 Hz

N: 10 000 N: 50

− Set up the optical configuration so that the interior space of Additionally recommended:
the ring electrode is illuminated by the broadened laser beam.
Step-up transformer with a turn ratio of 1:200, e.g.:
1 U-core with yoke 562 11
1 Clamping device 562 12
Additionally recommended:
1 Extra-low voltage coil with 50 turns 562 18
1 He-Ne laser, linearly polarized 471 840 1 Coil with 10,000 turns 562 16
1 Lens in holder, f = + 5 mm 460 01 1 Measuring resistor 10 MΩ, 1 W 536 211
1 Optical bench e.g. 460 34
3 Optics riders e.g. 460 351 AC voltage source 0 ... 20 V, e.g.:
Variable extra-low voltage transformer S 521 35
or
Power function generator 522 63

Recommended for generating the offset voltage U1:

1 Power supply 450 V DC 460 351

5 Carrying out the experiment 6 Care and maintenance

− Set the suspension voltage U0 to approx. 1000 V. − Remove the housing cover and blow out the lycopod spores.
− Using the wooden stick, take some lycopod spores from the − When replacing the housing cover, make sure that the ring
bottle and place them in the center of the Paul trap through electrode is parallel to the outer electrodes.
the filling opening. − Clean the acrylic glass housing using only mild cleansers.
− Find the stability limits of the Paul trap by varying the suspen-
sion voltage U0.
− Displace the trapped lycopod spores axially in the Paul trap
depending on the polarity of the offset voltage U1.
− Displace the lycopod spores radially from the center of the
trap by turning the cylindrical housing.
− When using a function generator, it is possible to determine
the stability limits of the Paul trap with respect to frequency.

LEYBOLD DIDACTIC GMBH ⋅ Leyboldstrasse 1 ⋅ D-50354Hürth ⋅ Phone (02233) 604-0 ⋅ Telefax (02233) 604-222 ⋅ e-mail: info@leybold-didactic.de
© by Leybold Didactic GmbH Printed in the Federal Republic of Germany
Technical alterations reserved