PING Activities at Central Michigan University: Isotopes for Penning Trap Applications

A cornerstone of modern physics is Einstein's famous equation, E = mc². Direct tests of this equation is possible by comparing the energy released after cold neutron capture, in this case on ³⁵Cl, with the difference in mass between ³⁵Cl + a neutron and ³⁶Cl. In this presentation we describe work to produce ³⁶Cl via neutron capture in an AmBe source at CMU, evaluate the activity of the neutron activated sample via gamma-ray spectroscopy, and prepare for a mass measurement of ³⁵Cl vs ³⁶Cl using Penning trap mass spectrometry.