A new heavy ion accelerator is set to produce a large portion of all isotopes found in the universe, most of which do not exist on Earth. Scientists at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University are using the world’s strongest ion cannon to answer questions about short-lived atoms and the existence of heavier elements. The accelerator can shoot heavy ions at high energy onto other elements, creating heavy atoms with rare isotopes. By studying their properties, physicists can determine how new elements are formed in space, such as in supernova explosions and inside stars.
The FRIB’s 500-meter linear accelerator can accelerate heavy atomic nuclei to more than half the speed of light, producing trillions of isotopes per second. The new heavy ion accelerator has optimal conditions for producing exotic isotopes, with the chance for atom fusion and the creation of new elements and isotopes increasing with the number and energy of ions hitting the carbon target. The isotopes produced can be separated using four electromagnetic separators, allowing scientists to search for new isotopes and analyze their properties.
The scientists involved in the project estimate that the new heavy ion accelerator can produce about 80% of all isotopes that exist in the universe, potentially adding thousands of new isotopes to the approximately 3,000 known isotopes. Many of these isotopes do not exist on Earth because their formation occurs in the most energetic processes of the universe. The information gained from this facility will provide new insights into fundamental research and could have practical applications in the development of new cancer treatments and materials.
