ISOLDE and n_TOF Consolidation

Abstract

The ISOLDE Facility [1] resumed operation in July 2014 providing low energy radioactive ion beams (RIB) to a physics community of over 500 collaborators. While progress continues on the upgrade of the REXISOLDE post-accelerator within the HIE-ISOLDE project [2], assuring the production of RIB for an approved and demanding physics program will require extensive maintenance of the existing facility. The consolidation requests include; the replacement of the ISOLDE target stations, more commonly known as Frontends, renovation of the Resonant Laser Ionization (RILIS) equipment and operation of the REXEBIS and REXTRAP - the low energy systems of the REX-ISOLDE post-accelerator. However, the radiation protection issues associated with the present performance of ISOLDE and the potential consequences associated with a possible increase in pbeam power should be considered [3]. Consequently, consolidation of the overall shielding of the ISOLDE target area is presented along with the need to replace the ISOLDE beam dumps, both crucial to the exploitation of ISOLDE after the commissioning of Linac 4. The n_TOF Facility [4, 5] also successfully started its physics program in July 2014 making more efficient use of the neutron flux following the commissioning of EAR2, the second experimental area above the n_TOF target. Further consolidation requirements include the dismantling of the first n_TOF target cooling station and the replacement of the power converter and controls of the sweeping magnet in EAR1.