Heavy-Ion Accelerator Research Institute

Heavy-Ion Accelerator Research Institute is constructing equipment and facilities for the Rare isotope Accelerator complex for ON-line experiments (RAON). RAON is a large basic science research facility built around a heavy-ion accelerator. When completed, it will be a key pillar of the International Science and Business Belt (ISBB).

The heavy-ion accelerator is aiming to produce new rare isotopes by greatly accelerating and then colliding hydrogen ions (protons) or heavier ions into targets. This production also provides an opportunity to study and identify the characteristics of new rare isotopes. Scientists have discovered approximately 3,000 isotopes to date, but they believe additional 7,000 isotopes have yet to be discovered, presenting unlimited potential for rare isotope science. When the operation of RAON begins, completely new research opportunities will open up in various areas, such as research into the origin of elements, discovery of new rare isotopes and study of their structure, and applied research in material and biomedical sciences.

We intend to make RAON the first facility that combines two rare isotope production methods; Isotope Separation On-Line (ISOL) and In-flight Fragmentation (IF). This will be an optimal facility to produce and study new rare isotopes, so the global scientific community is closely following its progress. RAON is a very ambitious project since cutting-edge superconducting radio frequency (SRF) technology is used to manufacture the entire linear accelerator systems.

We will continue to dedicate our utmost efforts to advance the basic science of Korea by successfully constructing RAON.

Heavy-ion Accelerator (RAON) Overview

Definition

Heavy-ion accelerator is a large-scale research facility used for advanced basic science research. It accelerates heavy ions from proton to uranium and creates rare isotopes

Information on RAON

• High energy (200 MeV/u), high current (400 kW) rare isotope accelerator
  - World’s first accelerator to use a combination of two rare isotope production methods; ISOL*, and IF **
• Considering its acceleration energy, power, and RI beam energy, RAON will be one of the most advanced accelerators in the world compared to current and planned accelerators expected to be built by early 2020
      *Isotope Separation On-Line: A technique which produces a large quantity of rare isotopes by crashing light-ions against a thick target
      **Inflight Fragmentation: A technique which produces a variety of rare isotopes by crashing heavy-ions against a thin target

Reach area and use of heavy-ion accelerator

• Discover the origin of materials and understand beginning and expansion of the universe (origin of elements and evolution of stars)
• The accelerator will be used in multiple fields, including material and biomedical science, atomic and molecular science, and nuclear science

Key Project Schedule

※ The schedule above may change due to budget or other issues that may arise in the course of the project