Upgrading and Characterizing the Electronics of a Traveling-Wave Stark Decelerator

Bakker, Victor Albert (2025) Upgrading and Characterizing the Electronics of a Traveling-Wave Stark Decelerator. Bachelor's Thesis, Physics.

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Abstract

The electron electric dipole moment (eEDM) provides a sensitive probe for physics beyond the Standard Model, with implications for the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe. The NL-eEDM collaboration aims to improve eEDM sensitivity using cold beams of heavy polar molecules. Central to this is the traveling-wave Stark decelerator, which slows the molecular beam to increase both interaction time and the number of molecules reaching the measurement region—two key factors in reducing statistical uncertainty. This thesis focuses on upgrading and characterizing the electronics that drive the decelerator, with the goal of generating waveforms that closely match the theoretical ideal. Key requirements include achieving a peak-to-peak voltage of 20 kV and ensuring uniform behaviour across all channels. Amplifiers and transformers were characterized via Bode plot analysis. While the amplifiers performed consistently, transformers fell into two behavioural groups due to mechanical faults. Repairs restored the expected performance. Reconfiguring the amplifiers to bridge mode, combined with capacitor replacements, increased the maximum peak-to-peak voltage to 26.5 kV—comfortably exceeding the design target. These findings show that, with proper selection, repair, and upgrades, the electronics can meet the requirements for ideal waveform generation in the NL-eEDM experiment.

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor's Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Hoekstra, S.
Degree programme:	Physics
Thesis type:	Bachelor's Thesis
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	27 Jun 2025 09:55
Last Modified:	27 Jun 2025 09:55
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/35560

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