A simple method for counting the number of trapped ions in an ion trap
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abstract
The number of stored Ca+ ions in an ion trap was measured optically by utilizing the metastable states. All the ions trapped are first pumped into the metastable D states. The ions in the metastable D states are transferred to the ground S state via the P state by exciting a DP transition Each ion then emits one photon through a subsequent PS spontaneous emission. Thus, the number of photons is the same as the number of trapped ions initially in the metastable states. When a fraction of all the stored ions are pumped into the metastable states, the method is still applicable if the fraction of the ions is known.