The ATHENA apparatus that recently produced and detected the first cold antihydrogen atoms is described. Its main features, which are described herein, are: an external positron accumulator, making it possible to accumulate large numbers of positrons; a separate antiproton catching trap, optimizing the catching, cooling and handling of antiprotons; a unique high resolution antihydrogen annihilation detector, allowing an clear determination that antihydrogen has been produced; an open, modular design making variations in the experimental approach possible and a ‘‘nested’’ Penning trap situated in a cryogenic, 3T magnetic field environment used for the mixing of the antiprotons and positrons.
The ATHENA antihydrogen apparatus
FONTANA, ANDREA;GENOVA, PABLO;MONTAGNA, PAOLO MARIA;ROTONDI, ALBERTO;
2004-01-01
Abstract
The ATHENA apparatus that recently produced and detected the first cold antihydrogen atoms is described. Its main features, which are described herein, are: an external positron accumulator, making it possible to accumulate large numbers of positrons; a separate antiproton catching trap, optimizing the catching, cooling and handling of antiprotons; a unique high resolution antihydrogen annihilation detector, allowing an clear determination that antihydrogen has been produced; an open, modular design making variations in the experimental approach possible and a ‘‘nested’’ Penning trap situated in a cryogenic, 3T magnetic field environment used for the mixing of the antiprotons and positrons.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
