Design and characterization of a resonant microwave cavity as a diagnostic for ultracold plasmas.

We present the design and commissioning of a resonant microwave cavity as a novel diagnostic for the study of ultracold plasmas. This diagnostic is based on the measurements of the shift in the resonance frequency of the cavity, induced by an ultracold plasma that is created from a laser-cooled gas inside. This method is simultaneously non-destructive, very fast (nanosecond temporal resolution), highly sensitive, and applicable to all ultracold plasmas.

Magnetic field-enhanced beam monitor for ionizing radiation.

For the microwave cavity resonance spectroscopy based non-destructive beam monitor for ionizing radiation, an addition-which adapts the approach to conditions where only little ionization takes place due to, e.g., small ionization cross sections, low gas pressures, and low photon fluxes-is presented and demonstrated.