Our lab plans on performing measurements of the Stark induced amplitude and PNC amplitude of the 7S to 8S transition and also measurements of the M1 and PNC transition amplitudes for atoms placed at the node of the electric field in a microwave cavity driving transitions between the ground state hyperfine levels. The francium diffuses to the surface of the target, where it is ionized. Electrostatic elements extract the francium ions at high voltage and transport them to another region of the apparatus. The ions land on a heated yttrium foil where they are neutralized. The neutral atoms enter a Dry-film coated glass cell where they thermalize as they bounce off the walls.
Nearby coils produce a quadrupole magnetic field.
At the zero point of the field, where six trap lasers beam at 718nm and repumping beams at 817nm intersect, a cooled and trapped cloud of atoms forms. I have recently been constructing a new apparatus for magneto-optical trapping of francium. This trap performed very well for the first ever trapping of francium and for subsequent experiments, some of which are described below. Several improvements were required before continuing with additional experiments. The large numbers of neutrons produced in the heavy ion fusion reaction that makes francium require that no one can be in the target room with the MOT during the experiment.