In-gas-cell laser ion source for KEK isotope separation system

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Atomic Physics
• Accelerator Science

Background:

• The KEK isotope separation system (KISS) is an advanced element-selective isotope separator.
• An in-gas-cell laser ion source is a key component for KISS, utilizing a gas cell filled with argon at 50 kPa.
• Nuclear reaction products are thermalized, neutralized, and transported via argon flow to a selective ionization region.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the capability of the in-gas-cell laser ion source for selective ionization.
• To achieve the extraction of laser-ionized iron (Fe) ions.
• To present and discuss recent experimental results from off- and on-line tests.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a gas cell filled with argon at 50 kPa within a vacuum chamber.
• Employing a two-color resonant laser irradiation technique for selective ionization.
• Injecting an energetic Fe beam into the gas cell to test the system's performance.

Main Results:

• Successful extraction of laser-ionized Fe ions was achieved.
• The in-gas-cell laser ion source demonstrated effective element selectivity.
• Off- and on-line test results confirmed the system's functionality.

Conclusions:

• The in-gas-cell laser ion source is a viable and effective component for the KEK isotope separation system.
• The successful extraction of Fe ions validates the approach for element-selective isotope separation.
• Further development and testing of KISS are supported by these promising results.