Novel laser ellipsometry method for the KATRIN condensed 83mKr source

One of the systematic effects in the neutrino mass experiment KATRIN are the fluctuations of the electric retarding potential which is experienced by the tritium β electrons on their path through the spectrometer. For the purpose of long-term monitoring of the energy scale stability several calibration electron sources will be utilised at KATRIN. One of them is the condensed 83mKr source based on a frozen 83mKr film on a HOPG backing at about 20 K. The isomeric state decays via a cascade of highly converted transitions, yielding conversion electron lines with energies ranging from 7.5 keV to 32.1 keV, useful for the energy calibration. The cleanliness of the HOPG backing is crucial as any adsorption of residual gas would shift the kinetic energy of the conversion electrons. The backing is cleaned via laser ablation and resistive heating. The cleanliness is checked via a novel method of laser ellipsometry where the polarisation analysis takes place directly in ultrahigh vacuum. The polarisation analysis is realised by an analyser and light detector at 90 K embedded in the cold baffle. This method allows to determine film thicknesses with a resolution of better than an atomic monolayer. As a byproduct it can be also used to determine the indices of refraction of condensed krypton and of the HOPG backing. The main features of the calibration source will be reviewed and the results of test measurements will be presented.