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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Helium-jet ion guide for an on-line isotope separator

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Abstract A new method based on helium-jet techniques permits primary recoil ions produced in radioactive decay or in nuclear reactions to be run directly through a mass separator. Test results with a 227 Ac source give promise of qualities complementary to those obtained with conventional ion sources. This, 69 ± 5 per cent of the recoil particles transported with pure, commercial helium are positive ions, and 66 ± 5 per cent of them are mass separated. Nearly equal efficiencies are expected for most chemical elements and compounds. The mass spectra are remarkably free from groups caused by impurities. The shortest achievable separation time is estimated to be of the order of one millisecond.