The 5.5 MV Pulsed van-de-Graaff accelerator produces proton, deuteron, alpha particle, or oxygen ion beams in the pulsed or dc mode. A Mobley pulse compression system is used to obtain subnanosecond proton bursts with a pulse repetition frequency of 5 MHz.

Proton Induced X-ray Emission

A proton induced x-ray emission (PIXE) spectrometer is used to determine the elemental composition (10Z82) of complex samples, such as minerals, paints, foodstuffs, archeological objects, and others.

Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy

A Rutherford backscattering spectrometer (RBS) system can be applied to the study of surface coatings. The technique permits the study of inhomogeneous surface layers, including a determination of the thickness and of the atomic mass of superimposed deposits with thickness in the micron range, (e.g. copper objects which are nickel plated and then gold plated).

Ion Beam Implantation

Ion beams can be used to implant appropriate targets with selected ions. By controlling the ion energy a deposit at a specified depth can be obtained.