An atom trap trace analysis system for measuring krypton contamination in xenon dark matter detectors
- Department of Physics, Columbia University, New York, New York 10027-5255 (United States)
We have developed an atom trap trace analysis (ATTA) system to measure Kr in Xe at the part per trillion (ppt) level, a prerequisite for the sensitivity achievable with liquid xenon dark matter detectors beyond the current generation. Since Ar and Kr have similar laser cooling wavelengths, the apparatus has been tested with Ar to avoid contamination prior to measuring Xe samples. A radio-frequency plasma discharge generates a beam of metastable atoms which is optically collimated, slowed, and trapped using standard magneto-optical techniques. Based on the measured overall system efficiency of 1.2 × 10{sup −8} (detection mode), we expect the ATTA system to reach the design goal sensitivity to ppt concentrations of Kr in Xe in <2 h.
- OSTI ID:
- 22220338
- Journal Information:
- Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 84, Issue 9; Other Information: (c) 2013 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0034-6748
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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