It's a trap! What one trapped ion can tell us about the universe

An ion trap permits experiments with extraordinary precision even in a fraction of a second. This sophisticated control allows mass determinations of short-lived nuclides. Such measurements allow us to study the pressing questions in physics. How does nuclear structure evolve and what are the limits of existence? How did stars form from the primordial particle soup, and how do they die? What is the physics beyond the Standard Model? In this talk, I will motivate mass spectrometry of radioactive ions, describe this versatile technique, and discuss recent highlights from the TITAN facility.

Ania is the spokesperson for the TRIUMF's Ion Trap for Atomic and Nuclear science (TITAN). Ion traps are her favorite technique since she can manipulate a single atom or a cloud of them with exquisite precision. This precision allows her to investigate the evolution of nuclear structure, to study nucleosynthesis, and to search for physics beyond the Standard Model.