The Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron: Enhancements to ORNL’s HRIBF driver accelerator

Abstract

The Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron, ORIC, serves as the driver accelerator for the production of radioactive ion beams (RIBs) at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF). ORIC has served the physics community for almost 40 years as first a light ion accelerator, then as an energy booster for the Holifield Heavy Ion Research Facility’s 25 MV tandem electrostatic accelerator, and now as a light ion driver for RIB production. In spite of its age, ORIC is a more durable and efficient accelerator than ever through extensive enhancements and development initiatives in recent years. Control system, power supply, central region, and mechanical upgrades have proven effective in making ORIC a key to recent research successes at HRIBF. This paper describes the ORIC enhancements and the recent RIB research to which it has contributed.