Counting individual 41Ca atoms with a magneto-optical trap

Phys Rev Lett. 2004 Apr 16;92(15):153002. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.153002. Epub 2004 Apr 14.

Abstract

Atom trap trace analysis, a novel method based upon laser trapping and cooling, is used to count individual atoms of 41Ca present in biomedical samples with isotopic abundance levels between 10(-8) and 10(-10). The method is calibrated against resonance ionization mass spectrometry, demonstrating good agreement between the two methods. The present system has a counting efficiency of 2x10(-7). Within 1 h of observation time, its 3-sigma detection limit on the isotopic abundance of 41Ca reaches 4.5x10(-10).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Calcium Radioisotopes / analysis*
  • Calcium Radioisotopes / chemistry
  • Fluorescence
  • Magnetics*
  • Optics and Photonics

Substances

  • Calcium Radioisotopes