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The N=126 Factory: A New Multi-Nucleon Transfer Reaction Facility

A. A. Valverde, M. S. Martin, W. S. Porter, A. M. Houff, M. Brodeur, J. A. Clark, Y. Cho, A. Jacobs, R. A. Knaack, F. Köhler, K. König, O. S. Kubiniec, A. LaLiberte, B. Liu, B. Maass, A. Mitra, P. Mueller, C. Müller-Gatermann, W. Nörtershäuser, M. B. Oberling, J. Palmes, C. Quick, E. S. C. Ribeiro, J. Rohrer, G. Savard, J. Spahn

Abstract

Multi-nucleon transfer (MNT) reactions between two heavy ions offer an effective method of producing heavy, neutron-rich nuclei that cannot currently be accessed efficiently using traditional production techniques. These nuclei are important for understanding many astrophysical phenomena, such as the formation of the r-process $A\sim 195$ abundance peak. The N=126 Factory currently commissioning at Argonne National Laboratory's ATLAS facility will make use of these reactions to allow for the study of these nuclei. To convert MNT reaction products, which have a wide angular distribution, into a collimated, bunched beam suitable for experiments, a series of apparatus will be used. These start with a large-volume gas catcher for stopping the reaction products, which are then extracted through a radiofrequency quadrupole ion guide, undergo preliminary dipole magnetic separation, cooling and bunching in a Cooler-Buncher, and final separation using a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass separator, before final delivery to experimental systems.

The N=126 Factory: A New Multi-Nucleon Transfer Reaction Facility

Abstract

Multi-nucleon transfer (MNT) reactions between two heavy ions offer an effective method of producing heavy, neutron-rich nuclei that cannot currently be accessed efficiently using traditional production techniques. These nuclei are important for understanding many astrophysical phenomena, such as the formation of the r-process abundance peak. The N=126 Factory currently commissioning at Argonne National Laboratory's ATLAS facility will make use of these reactions to allow for the study of these nuclei. To convert MNT reaction products, which have a wide angular distribution, into a collimated, bunched beam suitable for experiments, a series of apparatus will be used. These start with a large-volume gas catcher for stopping the reaction products, which are then extracted through a radiofrequency quadrupole ion guide, undergo preliminary dipole magnetic separation, cooling and bunching in a Cooler-Buncher, and final separation using a multi-reflection time-of-flight mass separator, before final delivery to experimental systems.
Paper Structure (7 sections, 3 figures)

This paper contains 7 sections, 3 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Facility Layout
  3. Target and Degraders
  4. Gas Catcher and 90-Degree RFQ
  5. Separation and Preparation
  6. Experimental Endstations
  7. Status and Conclusion

Figures (3)

  • Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the N=126 Factory, illustrating beam production, major components, and experimental endstations.
  • Figure 2: CAD Rendering of the contents of the target box showing (1) the target wheel, (2) the beam dump, (3) the Pac-Men degraders (both open and closed) and (4) fixed degrader and window.
  • Figure 3: (Left) CAD rendering of the finished N=126 Factory, shown facing northeast from the southwest wall, and (Right) Photograph of the current N=126 Factory, with the gas catcher box doors removed to show the gas catcher, taken facing northwest from the western corner of Area 126. Markers indicate (1) the Gas Catcher, (2) the 90$^\circ$ RFQ, (3) the magnetic separator, (4) Cooler-Buncher, and (5) MSGR-TOF, with cyan arrows indicating the path of the primary beam into the gas catcher.