Grants and Contributions:

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Title:

Graduate student support for accelerator physics projects on ARIEL

Agreement Number:

SAPPJ

Agreement Value:

$205,000.00

Agreement Date:

May 10, 2017 -

Organization:

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Location:

British Columbia, CA

Reference Number:

GC-2017-Q1-03629

Agreement Type:

Grant

Report Type:

Grants and Contributions

Additional Information:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2020-2021)

Recipient's Legal Name:

Karlen, Dean (University of Victoria)

Program:

Subatomic Physics Envelope - Project

Program Purpose:

Capital funding for a superconducting electron linear accelerator at TRIUMF, known as the e-linac, was approved through the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) in June 2010, as the first phase of the advanced rare isotope laboratory (ARIEL). The accelerator was successfully commissioned in September 2014. CFI has approved funding for the second phase (ARIEL-II) and provincial approval for matching funding is nearly finalized. ARIEL II includes infrastructure for two new target stations and ion beam delivery systems for isotopes produced by electron-induced photo-fission as well as by proton-induced fission, spallation and fragmentation reactions. These radioisotopes are then delivered to experiments for nuclear, nuclear astrophysics, and material science research, as well as for medical applications.

This application is a request to renew NSERC support for our graduate students to allow them to continue to participate in ARIEL, thereby receiving valuable training in accelerator physics. While capital costs are covered through the approved CFI funding, CFI does not support the training of graduate students.

Our students have made valuable contributions to ARIEL in many areas. Students participated in the design, construction, and operation of view screen beam profile monitors, that have been used extensively in the commissioning of the e-linac. A student has developed a novel design for a beam deflector, necessary for future upgrades of the e-linac, using superconducting RF, and a prototype will be tested soon. Other students are working on simulation and tests to finalize the design of challenging elements of the target station. This includes the photo-converter, that produces the high energy photons needed for photo-fission immediately in front of the target, and the ion extraction optics system, that accelerates and focuses the rare isotope ions released from the target.

Within a few years, the e-linac will begin producing isotopes for science, significantly expanding the isotope research program at TRIUMF. This period will offer an excellent opportunity for students to learn important skills in accelerator physics.