Isotope separator on-line at INS FM cyclotron

Abstract An isotope separator was constructed and operated with on-line connection to the INS FM cyclotron. The gas-discharge type ion source was used in the earlier stage. Later the ion source was improved to the hollow-cathode type in order to achieve high temperature and high efficiency. The mean radius and the deflection angle of the separator are 60 cm and 45°, respectively. Mass-separated ions are transported through concrete walls to a tape collector, where radioactivities are measured. As a test experiment, natural copper foils were bombarded with the 52 MeV proton beam, and the reaction products of 63 Zn, 62 Zn, 61 Zn and 60 Zn were separated. The delay time between production and measurement was shortened to 1 min for the Zn isotopes evaporated from the 10 μm Cu foil. Yield ratios of 61 Zn to 63 Zn were measured for proton energies of 30–47 MeV.