Control of RILIS lasers at IGISOL facilities using a compact atomic beam reference cell

Abstract

The choice and proper operation of the laser systems for laser ion sources at on-line facilities using multi-step resonance ionization processes is the basis for production of intense and pure radioactive ion beams. These pave the way for numerous fundamental studies in nuclear and astrophysics. A comparison between systems of medium or high repetition rate pulsed tunable lasers based on dyes or crystals as active medium has been carried out at the IGISOL facility at Louvain-la-Neuve. The importance of properly controlling the operation conditions of the individual lasers via a reference atomic beam chamber is highlighted and design and implementation of such a compact device for permanent monitoring as well as possible regulation of the various laser parameters of relevance is discussed.