A novel scheme for a highly selective laser ion source

A new type of resonance ionization laser ion source, which shall combine the advantages of a laser ion source with those of an ion trap, is proposed. The primary purpose of such a laser ion source trap, which is based on a gas-filled linear radio-frequency quadrupole ion trap system, is the decoupling of evaporation and ionization processes. Furthermore optimum temporal control on the generated ion bunch is obtained. Both effects will lead to a significantly increased isobaric selectivity and ion beams of low emittance. A large variety of operational modes, ranging from quasidc to microseconds-bunched radioactive ion beams with variable pulse width and repetition rate, can be chosen freely and beam energies can easily be altered. The principles and the layout of LIST will be discussed on the basis of atom and ion trajectory simulations and resulting performance parameters. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.