PhD Ceremony Wilbert Kruithof

On 14 September Wilber Kruithof will defend his thesis 'Laser trapping of sodium isotopes for a high-precision β-decay experiment'.

Location: Academy Building, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Time: 16:15 hrs.

Promotores: H.W. Wilschut, S. Hoekstra

Laser trapping of sodium isotopes for a high-precision β-decay experiment

This thesis describes two crucial steps towards the realization of a high-precision test of the Standard Model of particle physics at low energy. The time-reversal symmetry of the Standard Model can be tested by measuring correlations between the particles emerging from decaying radioactive atoms. At the Kernfysisch Versneller Instituut such a test can be performed with radioactive ²¹Na (sodium) atoms. To achieve a high accuracy, the atoms are brought to standstill by trapping them with laser light. To reach the required precision in the final measurement, the online produced ²¹Na ions have to be neutralized and trapped with 1% efficiency. In a second step, the trapped ²¹Na atoms need to be transferred with near unit efficiency to a second atom trap, which provides a shielded environment for the correlation measurements. As this thesis shows, the envisioned efficiency of both processes is within reach of the present setup.

Wilbert Kruithof (Steenwijk, 1983) studied Physics and Astronomy in Groningen. His research was financed by FOM and NWO.