Proton Synchrotron Division

Laser Ion Source (LIS) Project

The Laser Ion Source Project consists of a test stand assembling : (i) a target, hit by a laser pulse to dig-out heavy ions and to ionize those in a plasma; (ii) the plasma extension area to provide the right ion pulse length; (iii) ion extraction; (iv) transport and (v) pre-acceleration via an RFQ. This type of source could, thanks to its short pulse-length and high current, allow single-turn injection into circular machines like the PSB or LEIR from Linac3. High particle intensity (>2*10¹⁰ heavy ions of one particular charge-state per pulse) with beam quality as needed for the LHC, sufficient pulse stability from shot to shot at a pulse frequency of 1 Hz and high reliability, are the key performances aimed at.