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A new ISOL-based radioactive nuclear beam (RNB) facility has been constructed as a joint project of the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) and the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) at the Tandem accelerator of the Tokai site of JAERI. It uses heavy-ion linacs and related equipment of the presently closed KEK-RNB facility. Fission fragments with energy from 0.1 to 8 MeV/u will be available at this facility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The KEK Isotope Separation System has been developed to study the β -decay properties of the neutron-rich nuclei around the neutron magic number N = 126. These properties are essential for understanding the origin of the third peak in the r-process element abundance pattern. The detector system for β -decay spectroscopy at the KEK Isotope Separation System should have high detection efficiency for low-energy β -rays, and should be operated under a low-background environment. The detector system of the KEK Isotope Separation System consists of β -ray telescopes and a tape transport system. The solid angle covered by the β -ray telescopes is as large as 75% of 4 π in total. The Q β -value dependence of the detection efficiency was estimated by Geant4 simulation. The background rate was 0.09 cps using a veto counter system and Pb shields. This background rate allows us to measure the lifetime of 202 Os. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new multi-reflection time-of-flight mass spectrograph for nuclear mass measurements with high precision has been constructed at the SLOWRI facility at RIKEN-RIBF. We aim to couple this new device to a cryogenic gas cell operated at the BigRIPS facility of RIBF. It is part of the SLOWRI project for slowing down and stopping intense radioactive ion beams provided downstream of RIKEN's superconducting ring cyclotron accelerator. In particular, this device is dedicated to be located at the end of the BigRIPS beam line to access ions that are presently guided to beam dumps during in-beam experiments. In this article the apparatus is described in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a multi-segmented proportional gas counter to perform β -decay spectroscopy of neutron-rich nuclei extracted from KEK Isotope Separation System (KISS). The 32 segmented gas counters allow us two-dimensional tracking of the events to identify β -ray events by discriminating background events. The detectors being by low-density material of thin aluminized Mylar foils and P10 gas enabled us to detect low energy electrons down to 100 keV. The absolute detection efficiency was 45% at Q β = 1 MeV, and the measured background event rate was 0.11 cps. The detector was applied to perform β -decay spectroscopy and hyperfine structure measurements of neutron-rich isotopes of Pt, Ir, and Os. We started to develop the gas counter with three-dimensional tracking by replacing the material of anode wire from BeCu to resistive thin carbon to reduce the background event rate below 0.01 cps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed KEK Isotope Separation System (KISS) in RIKEN Nishina center to produce neutron-rich isotopes around N = 126 for the study of β -decay properties from astrophysical interests. The KISS is an argon-gas-cell-based on laser ion source with ISOL, and, therefore, allows us to extract heavy refractory elements and investigate neutron-rich isotopes around N = 126. We extracted the laser-ionized unstable nuclei in the vicinity of 198Pt, and performed β - γ spectroscopy and in-gas-cell laser ionization spectroscopy successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a doughnut-shaped argon gas cell with a rotating target for the KEK Isotope Separation System (KISS). The new gas cell increased extraction yields for target-like fragments (TLFs) produced in multi-nucleon transfer (MNT) reactions. KISS is an on-line isotope separator, which makes use of a laser ion source combined with an argon gas cell as a gas catcher for TLFs. This system has been implemented for nuclear spectroscopy of neutron-rich isotopes in the region of N = 126 . A gas flow simulation was performed to optimize the design of the gas cell for efficient and fast transport of TLFs. To confirm the performance expected at the design stage, we performed off- and on-line experiments by using iridium atoms evaporated from a filament in the gas cell and TLFs produced by a 136 Xe beam and 198 Pt target system respectively. We could increase the extraction yield by more than an order of magnitude by applying a doughnut-shaped gas cell with a rotating target. Thus, we could perform nuclear spectroscopy in this heavy region with the use of KISS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various isotopes of Ac, Ra, Fr, and Rn were produced by fusion-evaporation reactions using a 48 Ca beam. The energetic ions were stopped in and extracted from a helium gas cell. The extracted ions were identified using a multi-reflection time-of-fight mass spectrograph. In all cases, it was observed that the predominant charge state for the extracted ions, including the alkali Fr, was 2+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate nuclei produced via fusion–evaporation reactions, especially super-heavy elements (SHE), we have begun construction of a facility for conversion of fusion–evaporation residues (EVR) to low-energy beams. At the base of this facility is a small cryogenic gas cell utilizing a traveling wave RF-carpet, located directly following the gas-filled recoil ion separator GARIS-II, which will thermalize EVRs to convert them into ion beams amenable to ion trapping. We present here the results of initial studies of this small gas cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

KEK Isotope Separation System (KISS) has been developed at RIKEN to produce neutron rich isotopes with N = 126 to study the β -decay properties for application to astrophysics. The KISS is an element-selective mass-separation system which consists of an argon gas cell-based on laser ion source for atomic number selection and an ISOL mass-separation system. The argon gas cell of KISS is a key component to stop and collect the unstable nuclei produced in a multi-nucleon transfer reaction, where the isotopes of interest will be selectively ionized using laser resonance ionization. We have performed off- and on-line experiments to study the basic properties of the gas cell as well as of the KISS. We successfully extracted the laser-ionized stable 56 Fe (direct implantation of a 56 Fe beam into the gas cell) atoms and 198 Pt (emitted from the 198 Pt target by elastic scattering with a 136 Xe beam) atoms from the KISS during the commissioning on-line experiments. We furthermore extracted laser-ionized unstable 199 Pt atoms and confirmed that the measured half-life was in good agreement with the reported value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technique of laser resonance ionization is employed for an element-selective ionization of multi-nucleon transfer reaction products which are stopped and neutralized in a gas cell filled with argon gas at 50 kPa. We have been searching for efficient laser ionization schemes for refractory elements of Z = 73–78 using a time-of-flight mass-spectrometer (TOF-MS) chamber. To evaluate the isotope shift and ionization efficiency for each candidate of the ionization scheme, isotope separation using the TOF-MS was devised. The TOF-MS was designed to separate the isotopes using two-stage linear acceleration with a mass resolving power M / Δ M of >350. A mass resolving power of 250 was experimentally confirmed by measuring the TOF of laser-ionized tantalum ( Z = 73) ions with mass number 181. We searched for a laser resonance ionization scheme of tantalum using the TOF-MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed an in situ radiotracer method for diffusion studies in solids using short-lived α-emitting 8 Li tracer. In the method, while implanting a pulsed 8 Li beam into a solid material of interest, the α particles emitted into the implantation side of the sample surface were detected as a function of time. By changing the implantation depth and the detection angle against the sample surface according to lithium diffusivity (deep implantation and large angle with a large solid angle, or shallow implantation and small angle with a narrow solid angle), the method can be sensitive to a wide range of diffusion length ranging from micrometer scale to nanometer scale per second. The feasibility of the method was demonstrated by measuring the lithium diffusion coefficients to the order of 10 −12 cm 2 /s in lithium ionic conductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a laser ion source for the target-like fragments (TLFs) produced in multi-nucleon transfer (MNT) reactions. The operation principle of the source is based on the in-gas laser ionization and spectroscopy (IGLIS) approach. In the source TLFs are thermalized and neutralized in high pressure and high purity argon gas, and are extracted after being selectively re-ionized in a multi-step laser resonance ionization process. The laser ion source has been implemented at the KEK Isotope Separation System (KISS) for β -decay spectroscopy of neutron-rich isotopes with N = 126 of nuclear astrophysical interest. The simulations of gas flow and ion-beam optics have been performed to optimize the gas cell for efficient thermalization and fast transporting the TLFs, and the mass-separator for efficient transport with high mass-resolving power, respectively. To confirm the performances expected at the design stage, off-line experiments have been performed by using 56 Fe atoms evaporated from a filament in the gas cell. The gas-transport time of 230 ms in the argon cell and the measured KISS mass-resolving power of 900 are consistent with the designed values. The high purity of the gas-cell system, which is extremely important for efficient and highly-selective production of laser ions, was achieved and confirmed from the mass distribution of the extracted ions. After the off-line tests, on-line experiments were conducted by directly injecting energetic 56 Fe beam into the gas cell. After thermalization of the injected 56 Fe beam, laser-produced singly-charged 56 Fe + ions were extracted. The extraction efficiency and selectivity of the gas cell in the presence of plasma induced by 56 Fe beam injection as well as the time profile of the extracted ions were investigated; extraction efficiency of 0.25%, a beam purity of >99% and an extraction time of 270 ms. It has been confirmed that the performance of the KISS laser ion source is satisfactory to start the measurements of lifetimes of the β -decayed nuclei with N = 126 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new laser ion source configuration based on resonant photoionization in a gas cell has been developed at RIBF RIKEN. This system is intended for the future PArasitic RI-beam production by Laser Ion-Source (PALIS) project which will be installed at RIKEN’s fragment separator, BigRIPS. A novel implementation of differential pumping, in combination with a sextupole ion beam guide (SPIG), has been developed. A few small scroll pumps create a pressure difference from 1000hPa–10−3 Pa within a geometry drastically miniaturized compared to conventional systems. This system can utilize a large exit hole for fast evacuation times, minimizing the decay loss for short-lived nuclei during extraction from a buffer gas cell, while sufficient gas cell pressure is maintained for stopping high energy RI-beams. In spite of the motion in a dense pressure gradient, the photo-ionized ions inside the gas cell are ejected with an assisting force gas jet and successfully transported to a high-vacuum region via SPIG followed by a quadrupole mass separator. Observed behaviors agree with the results of gas flow and Monte Carlo simulations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have developed an in situ and nanoscale Li diffusion measurement method in Li battery materials using an α-emitting radioactive 8 Li tracer. In this method, while implanting a low-energy (8 keV) 8 Li beam, the α particles emitted at a small angle (10°) relative to the sample surface were detected as a function of time. Measurement for Li diffusion coefficients in a spinel phase LiMn 2 O 4 (LMO) thin film has been started, which is used as an electrode in a Li ion secondary battery. An obvious Li diffusion effect in LMO was observed at the sample temperature of 623 K, and the further measurement is underway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The KEKCB is an electron cyclotron resonance ion source (ECRIS) operating at the microwave frequency of 18GHz and has successfully operated as the charge breeder at Tokai Radioactive Ion Accelerator Complex (TRIAC). Following an overview of the TRIAC, the recent operating results of the KEKCB have been demonstrated. Special attention was paid on the element-dependent charge breeding efficiency and the beam impurity originating from the ECR plasma of the KEKCB. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: As an effort to effectively use the short-lived radioactive ion beams to be available in near future at Tokai Radioactive Ion Accelerator Complex, we have developed a radiotracer method for diffusion studies in solids. A test experiment has been performed to measure the diffusion coefficients of Li in the sample of LiAl compound, by using the α-emitting radiotracer of 8Li (T 1/2 =0.84s). The yields of α-particles emitted from diffusing 8Li primarily implanted in the sample have been measured as a function of time under a recurrent time sequence; the implantation of 8Li for 1.5s (beam-on) and subsequent diffusion for 4.5s (beam-off). We have found that the time-dependent yields of the α-particles could be used as a measure of the diffusivity of the tracer in a none-destructive way. By taking into account the experimental conditions, we have simulated the time-dependent α-particle yields for various diffusion coefficients and compared with the experimental ones in order to extract the diffusion coefficients of Li in the sample. The process of the simulations and the comparisons is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We have studied, by a computer simulation, the feasibility of the radiotracer method for diffusion studies using short-lived radioactive nuclear beams as tracers. We have considered two typical examples of radiotracers that will be available in KEK-JAERI RNB facility, 18F (half-life: 1.8 h, β+-emitter) and 8Li (half-life: 0.83 s, α-emitter). The sample is set on a given temperature and irradiated by the tracer beams for a time-duration. In the case of 18F, the serial sectioning technique by the ion-beam-sputtering device is assumed to obtain the concentration-depth profile of the tracer diffused during the irradiation time. In the case of 8Li, the simulation reveals that the time-dependent yields of α particles can be used as a measure of the diffusivity of the tracer in a non-destructive way. The present method could be applied to measure rather large diffusion coefficients of various radiotracers with a short measuring time. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

For the construction of an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) charge breeder (CB) at KEK-JAERI radioactive nuclear beam facility, we have made a pilot charge breeding system consisting of two compact-sized ECR ion sources. In order to find the necessary conditions for an ECRCB with high efficiency, the charge breeding efficiency for Ar ions in nitrogen plasma has been measured and compared with the results from the simulation of the trajectories of the ions in the plasma. By explicitly taking into account the cumulative small angle scattering of charged ions as well as the confinement magnetic field of the pilot CB, the simulation predicts the stopping efficiency. This is defined as a probability that the injected ions are still within the plasma volume when their initial directional motions have become randomized. Incorporating the ionization efficiency for the ions, the overall breeding efficiency has been estimated. Finally, the characteristics of the ECRCB recently installed for tests at KEK is described. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An ohmic-heating laser ion source with a thin ionizer of thickness of 30 μm has been developed for the TIARA-ISOL. It can form an electric field of 4–5 V/cm inside the ionizer. The properties of the laser ion source were tested on- and off-line with aluminum isotopes. The FWHM of the time distribution of the bunched photoions from the ion source was about 4 μs for 27Al. In on-line experiment, a photoionization efficiency of about 0.1% for 25Al was obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]