Helium Buffer-Gas Cooling of a C⁺₆₀ Ion in a Paul Trap

In this project, we demonstrate a theoretical simulation of a (positively charged) C⁺₆₀ Buckminsterfullerene ion gas initially placed inside of a Paul Trap, and subsequently acted upon by a Helium buffer gas. If achieved, C⁺₆₀ would be the biggest molecule to be brought to the ultra cold regime, facilitating the study of its chemical properties and reaction dynamics. We made graphical representations that illustrated the ion's trajectories, secular motion, micro-motion, and kinetic energy within the trap. We calculated potential energy curves of a He approaching C⁺₆₀ at different angles and fit them to analytic forms. Using the fitted potentials, we simulated multiple He atoms sequentially colliding with the ion and calculated its temperature from its average kinetic energy after each collision. We aim at a comprehensive analysis of the system's temperature evolution as a function of time and an estimation of the timescale required to bring C⁺₆₀ into the ultra-cold regime.