Heavy Ion Accelerator
A Korean research team has successfully developed an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source device, paving the way for heavy ion accelerators. As a result, the localization of the research and development of cutting-edge heavy ion accelerators is expected to be accelerated.
The Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) announced on August 25 that a research team led by Dr. Won Mi-sook has succeeded in the development of a 28 GHz ECR ion source device and the creation of ECR plasma.
The ECR ion source device can create high-density plasma in a low vacuum environment using specific frequencies of microwaves and the rotary movement resulting from the resonance phenomena of electrons in a magnetic field. The device is used as an injector in a heavy ion accelerator.
It will be possible to use the newly-developed device in the industry to improve the function of different kinds of materials through ion injection, modification of materials, and cutting-edge analyses. The device is also expected to be utilized in research of heavy ion and other types of accelerators, together with a heavy ion linear accelerator scheduled to be built by the end of this year.
The construction of a Radio Frequency Quadrupole (RFQ) linear accelerator in charge of accelerating heavy ion beams drawn from the ECR ion source device already started, and it is going to be built in the Busan Center of the KBSI by the end of 2014.
Dr. Won remarked, “Once the heavy ion linear accelerator is built by the KBSI, the acceleration of ion beams is going to swing into high gear within the year.” She concluded by saying, “We are planning to construct a world-class comprehensive ion beam facility, which will be used in the industry and R&D institutions. The facility is also going to be utilized in support of ion beam research aimed at the development of high-tech materials.”