The absorption edge technique at the Super-EBIT

In an experiment at the Super-EBIT in Livermore, the absorption edge technique has been applied for the investigation of the X-ray emission of heavy ions in a trap. The aim of the measurement was to resolve the Radiative Recombination transitions into the L-shell of the different ion species which are simultaneously present in the trap in order to measure directly their contribution to the charge state distribution. The energy resolution required was obtained by using a lead absorber foil in front of a solid state X-ray detector which constitutes a considerably improved resolution with respect to standard germanium detectors