Status of the TAMUTRAP facility and initial characterization of the RFQ cooler/buncher

The Texas A&M University Penning Trap experiment (TAMUTRAP) is an upcoming ion trap facility that will be used to search for possible scalar currents in T = 2 superallowed pure Fermi decays (utilizing β-delayed proton emitters), which, if found, would be an indication of physics beyond the standard model. In addition, TAMUTRAP will provide a low-energy, point-like source of ions for various other applications at the Cyclotron Institute at Texas A&M University. The experiment is centered around a unique, compensated cylindrical Penning trap that employs a specially optimized length/radius ratio in the electrode structure that is not used by any other facility. The radioactive beam, provided by the Texas A&M University Re-accelerated Exotics (T-REX) program at the Cyclotron Institute, will be prepared for loading in the measurement trap via a specially designed Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) cooler/buncher. These proceedings will describe the current status of the TAMUTRAP facility, paying particular attention to the design and initial characterization of the RFQ cooler/buncher. Future plans will also be discussed.