The TRISTAN on-line isotope separator facility

The TRISTAN facility consists of an isotope separator and associated nuclear spectroscopy equipment located at the Ames Laboratory Research Reactor. It is used for on-line studies of short-lived neutron-rich nuclides produced by fission of enriched 235U. The facility is first described in terms of the target and neutron irradiation system along with the associated transport line. Next, the isotope separator is described with emphasis placed on developments of components for on-line operation, and results obtained from tests for mass purity. Ion beam handling to several detector stations through the use of a switching magnet is discussed along with a description of the stations. Also included are the design considerations of a moving tape collector and its drive electronics; retention measurements on tape material; control unit for time sequencing of beam, data accumulation, and tape transport; detector station for study of delayed neutrons; and a high-resolution π√2β-ray spectrometer. Some of the operational experiences over an eight-year period are discussed. (Auth.)