Methods for Production of Intense Beams of Unstable Nuclei: New Developments at ISOLDE

Abstract

An overview of progress in the target and ion source techniques at the ISOLDE on-line mass separator is given. The production of high intensity beams of mass-separated radioactive nuclei by bombardment of targets with 600 MeV protons and 910 MeV 3He from the CERN synchro-cyclotron is discussed. Off-line tests performed in order to clarify the release properties of different target materials are described. The targets are metal powders or foils, alloys, carbides, oxides, intermetallic compounds or molten metals. The influence of reactive gases on the release rates and progress in ion-source techniques are also discussed. Recent on-line tests are described in details, and systems are suggested for the production of elements which are not yet available as primary products in on-line mass separators.