Mass measurements of neutron-rich strontium and rubidium isotopes in the region A ≅ 100 and development of an electrospray ionization ion source

An extension of the atomic mass surface in the region A ∼ 100 is performed via mass measurements of the ^100-102Sr and ^100-102Rb isotopes with the ion-trap mass spectrometer ISOLTRAP at CERN-ISOLDE. The first direct mass measurements of ¹⁰²Sr and ^100-102Rb are reported here. These measurements confirm the continuation of the region of nuclear deformation with the increase of neutron number, at least as far as N = 65. In order to interpret the deformation in the strontium isotopic chain and to determine whether an onset of deformation is present in heavier krypton isotopes, a comparison is made between experimental values and theoretical calculations available in the literature. To complete this comparison, Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov calculations for even and odd isotopes are also presented, illustrating the competition of nuclear shapes in the region. The development of an electrospray ionization ion source is presented. This source can deliver a large range of isobaric masses for calibration purposes. The early commissioning of the source is discussed, including the results from the first mass scans detected behind the quadrupole mass spectrometer. A resolution of a few atomic mass units is reached. (author)