A dual radiofrequency trap for antimatter research
Dr. Hendrik Bekker (Helmholtz Institut Mainz)

We aim to advance antimatter research through tabletop experiments that operate independently of accelerator infrastructure, allowing for much lower noise levels and freedom from beamtime schedules. Our approach involves Dual RadioFrequency Traps (DRFTs) to confine the constituents of antihydrogen: positrons and antiprotons. Due to the different charge-to-mass ratios, each species primarily couples to a separate RF field. Unlike other traps, DRFTs naturally allow two species, even those of opposite charge, to be brought close together so that high production rates of antihydrogen can be achieved. Additionally, their open geometry is advantageous for laser spectroscopy. In our pioneering study, we develop a DRFT for co-trapping electrons and calcium ions which act as stand-ins for positrons and antiprotons. We demonstrate seperate storage times of up to a second and are developing an improved DRFT to extend this. In parallel, we are developing a low-energy positron source which will allow us to study bound positron-atom systems while other groups work on developing tools to transport antiprotons for future studies on antihydrogen.