Speaker
Description
iThemba LABS is an accelerator based science research facility administered by National Research Foundation (NRF) and has been in operation since 1986. iThemba operates a K200 separated sector cyclotron for research in nuclear physics, radiation biophysics and the production of medical radioisotopes. iThemba LABS has installed an IBA C70 cyclotron, which is phase one of the South African Isotopes Facility (SAIF). The facility includes a 70 MeV H-minus cyclotron and four beamlines for the production of radioisotopes. Decommissioned proton and neutron therapy vaults have been retrofitted to accommodate the cyclotron and bombardment target stations.
Two high-power bombardment target stations have been installed and commissioned in two opposite vaults for the production of radioisotopes. Due to power dissipation in the vacuum windows and the target, heat spots can form during irradiation, which might cause the window and the target to break. In order to reduce the heat spots, two H-type dipole magnets have been designed, installed and commissioned on the two target stations. The magnets are each powered by 1.6 kHz AC power sources with a 90° phase difference between the vertical and horizontal magnets. These magnets sweep the beam in a circular pattern with a radius of 20 mm on the target surface. The presentation will showcase the installation of the C70 cyclotron, design off sweeper magnets coils, electronic setup and magnets commissioning.
