Speaker
Summary
Introduction
The Target-Ion Source (TIS) unit represents the core of the Radioactive Ion Beam (RIB) production process in an ISOL system, and is constituted by the target, the ion source and the vacuum vessel that contains the former two items. The TIS unit adopted for the commissioning of SPES, the ISOL facility at INFN-LNL, included a target composed by a set of silicon carbide (SiC) disks, and the Forced Electron Beam Induced Arc Discharge (FEBIAD) ion source.
Description of the Work or Project
The TIS reliable and efficient operation is of paramount importance to ensure the delivery of RIBs to experimental users, therefore each component was carefully studied and tested to identify its operational conditions. In the case of the SiC target, a multistep simulation procedure, including MonteCarlo and Multiphysics simulations, was developed to study the effects of the target irradiation with a proton beam, whereas the material thermal and mechanical properties were deeply investigated at high temperature. Regarding the adopted FEBIAD ion source, the new possibilities provided by additive manufacturing of ISOL-grade materials were exploited, aiming at increasing the ion source repeatability and reliability. Indeed, the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) technique proved to be suitable for producing tantalum components capable of operating in vacuum at high temperature. Benefitting of the know-how accumulated with the INFN HISOL and HISOL_NEXT experiments, FEBIAD Ta cathodes and anodes were produced by LPBF and extensively tested, resulting in a better geometrical accuracy and an increased ion source reliability.
Conclusions
The first RIB at SPES was achieved with a SiC target coupled with a FEBIAD ion source proved including a LPBF Ta cathode. The positive outcome of such experience paved the way for further explorations of the new degrees of freedom provided by additive manufacturing.
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