SPIRAL2 at GANIL

The SPIRAL2 radioactive beam facility at GANIL has been studied since the beginning of 2001, and is now the subject of a detailed design study, starting from the beginning of 2003. A linear accelerator is proposed to produce a 5 mA deuteron beam, with an energy of 40 A. MeV, i.e. 200 kW beam power. This impinges on a carbon converter wheel for production of neutrons, which then leads to fission in a uranium carbide target. The radioactive fission products are then ionized and extracted from the target/ion-source system. Two beams can be used simultaneously: one at low energy and a second which is accelerated by the existing CIME cyclotron. Stable heavy ions with q/A=1/3 can also be accelerated by the linac up to an energy of 14.5 A.MeV. This paper presents a general overview of the project, with the present status of the various studies, and its integration into the present GANIL facility. The various aspects of the R and D needed for the production targets are also discussed. (author)