Density and Geometry of Single Component Plasmas ATRAP Collaboration

The density and geometry of ¯ p and e + plasmas in realistic trapping potentials are required to understand and optimize antihydrogen ( ¯ H) formation. An aperture method and a quadrupole oscillation frequency method for characterizing such plasmas are compared for the first time, using electrons in a cylindrical Penning trap. Both methods are used in a way that makes it unnecessary to assume that the plasmas are spheroidal, and it is shown that they are not. Good agreement between the two methods illustrates the possibility to accurately determine plasma densities and geometries within non-idealized, realistic trapping potentials. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.