Development of an /sup 14/O ion beam at the 88" cyclotron

Abstract

At the 88 cyclotron at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory we are developing an intense (3/spl middot/10/sup 7/ pps), low energy /sup 14/O ion beam to measure the shape of the beta-decay spectrum. The /sup 14/O half-life of 71 seconds requires on-line production of the isotope. /sup 14/O is produced in the form of CO in a high temperature carbon target using a 20 MeV /sup 3/He/sup +/ beam from the LBNL 88 cyclotron via the reaction /sup 12/C(/sup 3/He,n)/sup 14/O. In order to minimize the background radiation for the planned experiment, the /sup 14/O atoms must be separated from the other radioactive isotopes produced in the carbon target and implanted into a thin carbon foil. For this purpose, we have developed an experimental set-up including the target, a transfer line, an ion source, and a low energy ion beam transport line.