A beam transport line for magneto-optical trapping experiments with radioactive francium

Francium is one of the best candidates for measurements of atomic parity violation and in the search for permanent electric dipole moments. These fundamental measurements rely on precision studies in atomic spectroscopy and on the development of magneto-optical traps. A radioactive francium production and trapping facility was built and commissioned at INFN's national laboratories in Legnaro, Italy. Here we describe the beamline that is used to transport Fr+Fr+ ions at a kinetic energy of 3 keV from the production target to the magneto-optical trap. The design principles, construction, diagnostics, and performance are discussed.