VAT, a supplier of ultra-high vacuum technology solution based in the St.GallenBodenseeArea, is providing two types of valves to be fitted in the world’s most powerful heavy-ion accelerator, further details of which can found in a press release. Both VAT sector valves and VAT fast-closing valves are being used in the ultra-high vacuum environment. The sector valves are for continuous operation, while the quick-closing valves with an incredibly short reaction time are activated in the event of malfunctions, for example to prevent leaks.
The heavy ion accelerator went into operation on May 2 at Michigan State University’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) in East Lansing, USA. In terms of a technical explanation, the press release states that the accelerator shoots a powerful beam of stable isotopes, usually ionized uranium atoms, at half the speed of light through a 450-meter accelerator tunnel before smashing into its target, a spinning graphite wheel. Most ions pass through the graphite, but some collide with carbon nuclei, causing the ionized uranium atoms to decay into smaller combinations of protons and neutrons, or into rare isotopes. This represents the primary goal of the research project. Of the approximately 10,000 isotope variants that are theoretically expected in such a decay, only around 3,000 have been examined up to this point.
“The superconducting linear accelerator at the heart of FRIB was designed to produce these rare particles in greater numbers, allowing scientists to study more of these isotopes”, comments Chris McCarthy, VAT Account Manager at FRIB, in the press release. Since the beginning of the project 14 years ago, VAT has collaborated with the FRIB team to provide valve solutions for all major parts of the accelerator, McCarthy explains further.
