First application of the momentum-loss achromat to the isotopic separation of relativistic projectile fragments

Projectile fragments were produced with a 403 MeV/u 40Ar beam from the SATURNE accelerator in a thick carbon target. By use of the spectrometer SPES I in combination with a shaped energy-degrader, a clean secondary beam of 36P was separated. The results of this first application of a momentum-loss achromat to relativistic projectile fragments confirm model calculation published previously. In particular, several experimental values for the energy loss and the energy-loss straggling have been found to agree with the predictions. The amount of cross-contaminants originating from secondary reactions proved to be very small. As an additional separation tool a range telescope has been successfully tested.