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Abstract

In order to demonstrate laser cooling on negatively charged ions, it is necessary to confine the ions in a region free of strong magnetic fields. In the course of this thesis, the pre-existing design of a linear Paul trap was modified and taken into operation. The new design possesses two additional end cap electrodes whose shape provides effective axial confinement without blocking optical access to the trapped particles. The influence of these end cap electrodes on the trapping potential was simulated and compared to experimental results. Measurements with AU^- ions show that the trap allows storage of ions for multiple hours. Analysis ofthe storage time suggests that the loading process heats up the trapped ions. The lifetime τ_Hot of the hot ions was determined to be 23(3) min. After thermalization, the lifetime increases to 75(2) min. Measurements of the ion cloud’s radius provide an estimation of the equilibrium temperature T_∞ ≈5000 K. The experimentally determined time constant of the cooling process is τ_cool = 41:6(4) s.