Rare isotope production in the Fermi energy regime and application to the Texas A&M RIB Upgrade

Abstract

An overview of recent efforts to produce and separate neutron-rich rare isotopes in quasielastic and deep-inelastic collisions around and below the Fermi energy is presented. The experiments have been performed at the Cyclotron Institute of Texas A&M University employing beams from the K500 Superconducting Cyclotron. Two magnetic separators were used: the MARS recoil separator and the Superconducting Solenoid Line (BigSol Line). In these efforts we observed an enhanced production of neutron-rich nuclides in comparison with high-energy fragmentation mechanisms. This trend has been attributed to the role of the N/Z ratio and the nuclear periphery of the target. From a practical viewpoint, we conclude that reactions below or around the Fermi energy offer a novel way to access very neutron-rich rare isotopes. The experience obtained in the production of rare isotope beams (RIB) below the Fermi energy will be exploited in the ongoing RIB Upgrade of the Cyclotron Institute that will involve production, stopping and reacceleration of rare isotopes.