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Abstract

Two Fourier-transform ion-cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) Penning-trap mass spectrometers will be installed in the pumping section of the KArlsruhe TRItium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment. This experiment aims at determining the electron anti-neutrino mass m(ν^-e) with a sensitivity of 0.2 eV (90% C.L.) by high-resolution tritium β-spectroscopy. The tritium source creates various types of ions, which have to be reduced in order to reach the required low background level. The purpose of the FT-ICR mass spectrometers is the identification of the ion flux components as well as their abundance. Furthermore, the pumping efficiency of the differential pumping section DPS2-F can be determined since these Penning traps will be installed one at the entrance and one at the exit. In this paper the operation of the FT-ICR system is described. Experimental results are presented concerning the cryogenic broad-band amplifier system for the FT-ICR detection as well as the characterisation of the mass spectrometer with respect to, e.g., noise density and detection limit.