Eur. Phys. J. D (2014) 68: 359
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2014-50360-7

Regular Article

A simple method for characterization of the magnetic field in an ion trap using Be⁺ ions

Institut für Experimentalphysik, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany

^a e-mail: andrii.borodin@uni-duesseldorf.de
^b e-mail: step.schiller@uni-duesseldorf.de

Received: 7 May 2014
Received in final form: 5 October 2014
Published online: 1 December 2014

Abstract

We demonstrate a simple method for the determination of the magnetic field in an ion trap using laser-cooled ⁹Be⁺ ions. The method is not based on magnetic resonance and thus does not require delivering radiofrequency (RF) radiation to the trap. Instead, stimulated Raman spectroscopy is used, and only an easily generated optical sideband of the laser cooling wave is required. The d.c. magnetic vector, averaged over the ⁹Be⁺ ion ensemble, is determined. Furthermore, the field strength can be minimized and an upper limit for the field gradient can be determined. The resolution of the method is 0.04 G at present. The relevance for precision rovibrational spectroscopy of molecular hydrogen ions is briefly discussed.