First operation and mass separation with the CARIBU MR-TOF

The recent installation of a Multi-Reflection Time-of-Flight (MR-TOF) isobar separator at the CARIBU facility has the promising potential to significantly improve the mass separation and selection of short-lived neutron-rich beams. Ions cycled in the km-long isochronous trajectories between two electrostatic mirrors can be separated to high levels of mass-resolving power within a short time (tens of ms). The installation process is described and results from the first operation are discussed. Following an optimization of the mirror voltages a mass-resolving power of 6.8 . 10(4) was achieved and a separation of isobars was demonstrated. The higher purity beams provided by the MR-TOF and delivered to the Canadian Penning Trap (CPT) will provide access to further measurements of neutron-rich nuclei along the astro-physical r-process path. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.