We carried out a demonstrative electron scattering experiment using a novel ion-trap target exclusively developed for short-lived highly unstable nuclei. Using stable ${}^{133}\mathrm{Cs}$ ion as a target, this experiment completely mimicked electron scattering off short-lived nuclei. Achieving a luminosity higher than ${10}^{26}{\mathrm{cm}}^{-2}{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$ with around only ${10}^6$ trapped ions on the electron beam, the angular distribution of elastic scattering was successfully measured. This experiment clearly demonstrates that electron scattering off rarely produced short-lived nuclei is practical with this target technique.

• Received 10 October 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.102.102501