Experiments in Planar Multipole Ion Traps

We present the design and demonstration of multipole ion traps based on concentric rings. We have developed both surface-electrode and layered planar trap designs which enable one to null the quadratic term in the electric potential to a high degree. Experiments demonstrating frequency upconversion of an applied signal demonstrate the nonlinear dynamics present in the trap. Applications include quantum chaos, ultracold chemistry, and, potentially, mass spectrometry.