The ATHENA antihydrogen apparatus
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.
- Publication:
-
Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A
- Pub Date:
- February 2004
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.nima.2003.09.052
- Bibcode:
- 2004NIMPA.518..679A