Laser ion source for the Leuven Isotope Separator On-Line

Abstract
An on‐line laser ion source has been developed and coupled to an on‐line isotope separator for the production of isotopically and isobarically pure beams of radioactive ions. It is based on element‐selective resonant laser ionization of nuclear reaction products thermalized and neutralized in a high‐pressure noble gas after their recoil out of the target. Pure beams of 54,55Ni and 54Co, produced in a light‐ion‐induced fusion‐evaporation reaction, and of 113Rh, produced in a proton‐induced fission of 238U, were obtained. A preliminary efficiency of the ion source of ∼6% for fusion reactions and of ∼0.2% for fission reactions has been obtained. A selectivity of the ion source of 300 for fusion and 50 for fission reactions limited by the evacuation of non‐neutralized reaction products has been achieved.

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