Linear Quadrupole Trap Simulations

Below are some simulations from an undergraduate research project where I developed a linear quadrupole trap ("paul" trap). There are two viewpoints shown for each simulation, the first from the side, the second from the top. In both cases, the black bars show the location of the electrodes.

The video above shows 60 simulated particles in a linear quadrupole trap, qualitatively displaying the same behavior as the constructed trap, where the particles stabilize into a sort of crystal structure.

This video shows only 10 particles, which stabalize into a linear chain.

This video shows that applying a perturbation shows that the particles strongly interact with their nearest neighbors.

Finally, this video shows that variation in particle mass (in the expected range of lycopodium particles) correspond well to the small variations in height seen in the physical setup.