Be and Li ion production via laser ablation for experiments to investigate the nature of the neutrino

The investigation of neutrinos is an important part of understanding physics beyond the Standard Model. One experimental approach, beta decay studies, provides information on the particle nature of the neutrino, its absolute mass, and on the existence of sterile neutrinos. These types of experiments often require precise Q values of the beta decays, to aid in analyzing and interpreting results. One example is the BeEST experiment, which uses the electron capture decay of ⁷Be, to search for signatures of keV scale sterile neutrinos. Penning trap mass spectrometry (PTMS) is the most precise method for determining the Q value, by measuring the mass ratio of the parent and daughter atoms. A key part of PTMS experiments is the successful implementation of an efficient and reliable ion source. At Central Michigan University, we are investigating our laser ablation ion source as a means of producing ⁹Be and Li ions, for future CHIP-TRAP experiments that aim to measure the ⁷Be Q value more precisely. More specifically, we are investigating ⁹Be⁺ ion production using a solution of beryllium dissolved in HCl and dried out on a backing target material. This will act as a proxy for the suggested method of producing ⁷Be⁺ ions from the available ⁷Be from the National Isotope Development Center.