RF ion carpets: The electric field, the effective potential, operational parameters and an analysis of stability

Analytical solutions for the electric field of radiofrequency (RF) carpets are presented. The formulas have been applied to calculate the effective repulsive potential with the Dehmelt model. The resulting formulas have been used to investigate operational conditions such as the average distance of ions from the carpet in the presence of an attractive static electric field.The equations of motion of ions in the electric fields have been integrated using the developed formulas to determine the parameter space for carpet operation. The operational parameters have been reduced to three dimensionless parameters and a stability analysis is carried out in these terms.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (75 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ Analytical solutions for electric field allow for fast evaluation of ion motion. ▶ Formula used in Dehmelt's potential model lead to operational conditions. ▶ Three dimensionless parameters determine stability of ion motion.