Accelerator Physics at NSCL

Liner for the K500 cyclotron.

    Present research interests in accelerator physics at NSCL include superconducting RF cavities and RF quadrupoles for heavy ion linacs, beam dynamics of heavy ion linacs, ion sources, space-charge-limited high-intensity beams, and radiation resistant magnets.

    The ion production and acceleration research is oriented toward the technology required for the proposed Rare Isotope Accelerator.  The effort includes the design and prototyping of several types of superconducting cavities, in collaboration with other laboratories.

    Space charge effects are being studied via both theoretical and experimental techniques.  On the theoretical side, new methods are being developed to simulate beam transport.  On the experiment side, a Small Isochronous Ring is being constructed for space charge studies that can be scaled to larger accelerators working at higher energies.

    Past accomplishments in accelerator physics and instrument R & D at NSCL include the design and in-house construction of three superconducting cyclotrons, a superconducting beam transport system, the S800 magnetic spectrograph, and the A1900 fragment separator.  The first two cyclotrons, the K500 and K1200, are now used together at the NSCL’s coupled cyclotron facility.  The third cyclotron, the K100, is used for cancer therapy at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

    NSCL’s involvement in superconducting cyclotron design continues to the present day with design work on the K250 medical cyclotron being fabricated by industry for the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland.

Additional Information