Decisive Solution to a Long-standing Controversy in Paul-Trap Physics
Document
The study of charged particles' dynamics in a Paul trap is the foundation of its wide-ranging applications, including analyzing proteins, determining isotope ratios, and constructing a quantum computer. However, in the simplest case of two-particle dynamics, there remains a controversy on whether a two-ion planar crystal undergoes an order-to-chaos transition at a critical trap parameter value. Via linearization and separation of the Mathieu-Coulomb equations, this thesis shows analytically and numerically that the transition does not exist. Furthermore, the method developed here can be extended to determine the stability and existence of two-ion crystals in the whole parameter space of both the hyperbolic and linear Paul trap.
Item Description
Name(s)
Author: Kan, Angus
Thesis advisor: Blümel, R. (Reinhold)
Date
April 15, 2017
Extent
79 pages
Language
eng
Genre
Physical Form
electronic
Discipline
Rights and Use
In Copyright – Non-Commercial Use Permitted
Digital Collection