A phase-imaging technique for cyclotron-frequency measurements

A novel approach based on the projection of the Penning-trap ion motion onto a position-sensitive detector opens the door to very accurate mass measurements on the sub-ppb level even for short-lived nuclides with half-lives well below a second. In addition to the accuracy boost the new method provides a superior resolving power by which low-lying isomeric states with excitation energy on the 10-keV level can be separated from the ground state. A measurement of the mass difference of 132Xe and 131Xe with an uncertainty of 25 eV has demonstrated the great potential of the new approach.