Alkali ion-to-neutral atom converter for the magneto-optical trap of a radioactive isotope

Abstract: We have developed a unique neutralizer device that uses an yttrium target surrounded by a platinum wall to magneto-optically trap radioactive atoms. In general, the radioactive nucleus produced in a nuclear reaction is extracted and transported in ion form. For the magneto-optical trap, thermal neutralization must occur on the surface of a metal with a small work function. The converter can produce a neutral atomic beam with small angular divergence that, given the recycling of atoms and ions, converts ions into neutral atoms with remarkable efficiency. We demonstrated the ion neutralization process using stable rubidium and confirmed $10^6$ neutralized atoms in the magneto-optical trap. Additionally, the experiment using francium demonstrated the obtaining of neutralized francium atoms.