Proposal for the 252 Cf source upgrade to the ATLAS facility

Beams of accelerated exotic neutron-rich nuclei allow access to little known regions of the nuclear landscape that are important both structurally and for r-process nucleosynthesis. We propose to increase the radioactive beam capabilities of the ATLAS accelerator facility by the installation of a new source of ions to provide beams of shortlived neutron-rich isotopes. These isotopes will be obtained from a 1 Ci Cf fission source located in a large gas catcher from which the radioactive ions will be extracted and transferred to an ECR ion source for charge breeding before acceleration in the ATLAS superconducting linac. The technique is fast, universal and highly efficient. It will provide accelerated neutron-rich beam intensities of up to 7 · 10 ions per second on target at energies that are difficult to access at other facilities. This upgrade will enhance the reach of ATLAS and offer world-unique capabilities to study neutron-rich nuclei. It will also help advance technologies critical for the RIA facility.