November 30, 2022
ISOLDE (Isotope Separator On-Line Detector) is a facility located at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) in Switzerland. It is dedicated to the production and study of radioactive isotopes.
ISOLDE utilizes the unique properties of radioactive isotopes to conduct experiments in various scientific fields, including nuclear physics, atomic physics, astrophysics, and materials science. The facility produces these isotopes by bombarding stable target materials with high-energy particles, such as protons, to induce nuclear reactions.
The primary objective of ISOLDE is to investigate the properties and behavior of exotic, short-lived isotopes that cannot be found naturally on Earth. These isotopes have specific nuclear configurations, decay processes, and half-lives, which make them valuable for understanding fundamental aspects of matter and the universe.
ISOLDE consists of several key components, including a high-energy particle accelerator to generate the required particle beams, a target system to produce the isotopes, and a separator to separate the desired isotopes from other reaction products. Additionally, it features a suite of detectors that enable scientists to measure and analyze the characteristics of the produced isotopes.