Precision measurement of the atomic mass of 6Li using a Penning ion trap mass spectrometer

We have used a cryogenic (4 K) Penning ion trap mass spectrometer to measure the mass ratios of ⁶Li⁺/¹²C ²⁺, ⁶Li⁺/D₃⁺, and D₂⁺/He⁺. We developed techniques to create ions outside of the cryogenic trap environment and to transport them into the trap where a small number (1-10) were confined. The ions´ frequencies of oscillation were measured using a high-Q tuned circuit to detect image currents induced in the trap electrodes. The measurements involving ⁶Li⁺ result in a value for the atomic mass of ⁶Li of 6.015 122 795(16) u, with a fractional uncertainty of ±2.7×10^-9 representing a factor of 30 improvement over the published, tabulated value. A measurement of the D₂⁺/He⁺ mass ratio has an uncertainty of ±1.1×10^-9 and is within 0.6×10^-9 of the tabulated value, thus demonstrating that our techniques are reliable