“Ion surfing” with radiofrequency carpets

The transport of low-energy ions by inhomogeneous alternating electric fields combined with static electric fields is an important and established technique in applied and fundamental research. Radiofrequency (RF) multipole ion guides can focus and transport ions along a linear path while RF funnels, carpets, or walls provide ion guiding along surfaces. A novel surface transport technique – ion surfing – is proposed which relies on a traveling potential wave combined with a static repelling RF field. The results of numerical simulations are presented and the observed features of ion surfing are discussed. In addition, possible applications to thermalized (gas-stopped) fast ion beams are presented.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (49 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ “Ion surfing” – a novel ion transport scheme with radiofrequency carpets studied in numerical simulations. ▶ Improved ion transport over long distance without static drag fields. ▶ Large potential for ion transport in gas stoppers used to stop and thermalized fast rare isotope beams.