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Currently the primary goal of the group is to perform a two-path interference experiment with ions. The crucial element in the experiment is the ion-source. To generate a coherent beam of ions we use a very sharp tungsten-tip. Usually such tips terminate in just a few atoms. If a positive voltage (typically 1000 V) is applied to the tip in a thin hydrogen atmosphere, the electrical field near the tip is high enough to ionise hydrogen atoms. The hydrogen ions (mostly protons) are then repelled from the tip and accelerated towards a two dimensional detector. On their way they are exposed to a double-slit so that there are two possibilities for each ion to reach the detector. Either through the right slit or through the left slit. If the experiment is made carefully the two possibilities are in a coherent superposition and lead to interference effects.
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The optical bench. (JPG, 10k)
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Vacuum chamber and low-light camera. (JPG, 12k)