Simulation Integration and Dielectric Modeling for the St. Benedict Experiment in SimIon

Recent theoretical corrections to the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix have altered the value of its largest element, V_ud, leading to a 3σ tension with unitarity. This has prompted the need to extract a more accurate value of V_ud experimentally, a goal that the Superallowed Transition BEta-NEutrino Decay Ion Coincidence Trap (St. Benedict) experiment at the University of Notre Dame is focused on. To achieve this, radioactive ions are guided to a Paul trap via a series of ion optical components. By analyzing the time-of-flight spectra of the recoiling daughter nuclei confined in the Paul trap one can determine V_ud.

This work focuses on integrating simulations of two St. Benedict components in SimIon, an ion optics simulation software. Previously, there was no method for smoothly transitioning ions across the radio frequency (RF) carpet and RF quadrupole ion guide simulations. To address this, DC and RF electrode potential maps in both simulations are analyzed to create a new tool that transitions ions without discontinuities in the electric field they undergo. This allows beam studies across multiple segments and the scanning of St. Benedict for experimental parameters. Additionally, PEEK and Kapton dielectrics present in the lab but not in simulation were added. By including these dielectrics, the RF carpet simulation is expected to better match experimental results.