Observation of Three-Dimensional Long-Range Order in Small Ion Coulomb Crystals in an rf Trap

Journal Article · Fri Mar 17 00:00:00 EST 2006 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.103001· OSTI ID:20777086

Mortensen, A; Nielsen, E; Matthey, T; Drewsen, M ^[1]

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1. QUANTOP - Danish National Research Foundation Center for Quantum Optics, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Aarhus, DK-8000 Aarhus C (Denmark)

Three-dimensional long-range ordered structures in smaller and near-spherically symmetric Coulomb crystals of {sup 40}Ca{sup +} ions confined in a linear rf Paul trap have been observed when the number of ions exceeds {approx}1000 ions. This result is unexpected from ground state molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, but found to be in agreement with MD simulations of metastable ion configurations. Previously, three-dimensional long-range ordered structures have only been reported in Penning traps in systems of {approx}50 000 ions or more.

• OSTI ID: 20777086
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 96, Issue 10; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.103001; (c) 2006 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CALCIUM 40
CALCIUM IONS
CATIONS
CRYSTALS
GROUND STATES
LASERS
MOLECULAR DYNAMICS METHOD
SIMULATION
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
TRAPPING
TRAPS