ISOLDE prepares for a higher energy proton beam
Ongoing upgrades on the road to HiLumi ISOLDE prepares for a higher energy proton beam 22 September 2026 At ISOLDE – CERN’s Isotope Separator On-Line facility – a major project of Long Shutdown 3 is to consolidate and upgrade the transfer line connecting the Proton Synchrotron Booster to ISOLDE. The transfer line was originally designed to operate with 1 GeV protons but has operated at 1.4 GeV…
On 22 September 2026, ISOLDE – CERN’s Isotope Separator On-Line facility – embarked on a major project to upgrade and consolidate the transfer line connecting the Proton Synchrotron Booster to the facility. Originally designed for 1 GeV protons, the line has been operating at 1.4 GeV since the 2000s. Now, it is being reconfigured to deliver 2 GeV proton beams to ISOLDE, aiming to boost the production of exotic isotopes.
While some existing magnets will be reused, new magnets are essential to meet the higher energy demands. Several magnets have been removed from the line, a task fraught with challenges due to limited space in the target area. Over the years, shielding, services, and handling systems had accumulated, rendering certain transport routes unusable. Additionally, residual dose rates persisted in some areas, necessitating movable shielding and meticulous handling procedures.
Despite these obstacles, ten magnets – ranging from smaller units to 8.5-tonne dipoles – were successfully extracted. One such 8.5-tonne dipole was meticulously prepared and transported on electrically powered rollers through a narrow passage, as evidenced in accompanying photos. With extensive preparation, the project moved forward, promising to significantly enhance the exotic-isotope production at ISOLDE.
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