Vision To be the leading African organisation for research, training and expertise in accelerator based sciences and technologies. Mission To provide state of the art facilities and programmes for high quality research, training and services in nuclear sciences and applications for the benefit of the people of South Africa and the continent in general. iThemba LABS operates the only cyclotron facilities in the African continent and the separated sector cyclotron is the largest accelerator facility in the Southern Hemisphere. The k-200 separated sector cyclotron can accelerate protons to energies of 200MeV, and heavier particles to much higher energies. Smaller accelerators at the Western Cape site are two injector cyclotrons, one providing intense beams of light ions, and the other, beams of polarized light ions or heavy ions; a 3MV Tandetron used mainly for research utilising ion beam analysis techniques; and a k=11 cyclotron for the production of the radioisotope Flourine-18 for supplying to local nuclear medicine facilities for imaging purposes. Accelerators at the Gauteng site include a 6MV tandem accelerator with a specialised high energy analysis system for Atomic Mass Spectrometry (AMS), and two low energy electrostatic accelerators for ion implantation and other surface science studies. The accelerators are used to accelerate charged particles for basic nuclear physics research, radioisotope production, radiobiology research related to particle therapy, and applications such as radiation hardness testing of electronic components used in satellites and detector calibrations. iThemba LABS have various collaboration agreements and joint training programmes with Higher Education Institutions and research laboratories around the world as a means to contribute to the human capital development mandate of the NRF. The laboratory also provides a platform for SA based researchers and postgraduate students to access global research facilities such as CERN, JINR and GSI/FAIR. To maintain and increase the excellence of the research and training activities, as well as respond to the demands from the research and isotope supply, iThemba LABS has developed a globally competitive research strategy and a related research infrastructure acquisition plan, based on the South African Isotope Facility (SAIF) project, which has two components: The ACE-Isotopes and the ACE-Beams. The first phase consists of the acquisition of the C70 cyclotron and the Low Energy Radioactive Beam (LERIB) project which will make iThemba LABS internationally competitive by expanding the nuclear astrophysics research and the study of neutron-rich nuclei, and materials research using rare isotopes.
Research Areas
Subatomic Physics
The research in basic nuclear physics involves mainly experimental studies of the properties of the nuclei at moderate to high excitation energy and angular momentum, as well as studies of the different mechanisms through which nuclear reactions occur.
Particle beams accelerated through the Separated Sector Cyclotron are used in the experiments. Light charged particles emitted in nuclear reactions are studied with the K-600 magnetic spectrometer.
Gamma-ray spectroscopy is carried out with the AFRODITE gamma-ray array. Neutron facility provides a beam of collimated near mono-energetic neutrons with energies up to 200 MeV. A multi-purpose large 1.5 m scattering chamber is used for studying charge particles emission in the nuclear reactions. Precise cross sections for nuclear reactions are measured on a dedicated beam line – sigma-R line.
The research in applied nuclear physics is focused on studying the natural and anthropogenic radioactivity of our environment and its use in practical applications.
All the studies are directed towards finding how these tiny pieces of matter – the atomic nuclei – are built, how they interact with each other, and how the acquired knowledge can be applied in order to improve our everyday life.
---
Tandem Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (TAMS)
TAMS is a leading primary centre of research, training and service expertise in accelerator based sciences and technologies to advance science in South Africa and beyond.
It provides advanced, viable, multidisciplinary facilities for research, training and services in the fields of nuclear related sciences for the pride and benefit of all the people of South Africa and rest of the continent.
---
Materials Research
The Materials Research Department (MRD) activities focus on research, modification and characterisation of materials using low energy ion beams, and other instrumental techniques for surface characterisation. The MRD has an extensive network of collaborators at national, African and international level.
The MRD has developed strong areas of expertise in ion-beam microprobe applications, specialised in biological applications in which they have become world leaders. This is closely coupled with the simultaneous development of specialised specimen preparation using cryo-techniques. The cryo-preparation laboratory has developed into a unique national facility. While the micro-probe facility is widely known and has a broad base of users and applications, the relatively younger cryo-preparation facility is not yet widely known.
Materials studies have been extended by facilities for XRD measurements. These techniques are complementary to ion-beam techniques and are appropriate for a research group that has as a strategic aim materials characterisation rather than purely ion beam applications. These techniques have their own specialised instruments and requirements. The machines are fully utilized.
The research of the group can be divided into the following broad themes:
. Ion-solid interaction: Study of fundamentals parameters
. Ion Beam Analysis (IBA)
· Nano-sciences and Nano-technology
. Materials engineering
. Thin film physics using material characterization and modification with ion beams
· Biological systems with a focus on elemental distribution and transport
· Geological and environmental studies using ion beams
· Innovation in instrumentation and electronics
---
Nuclear Medicine
Since the late 1980’s, the Nuclear medicine related endeavours at iThemba LABS has been a major pillar of the facility that has been supported by the two main activities: i) the Radioisotope Production Programme and ii) Particle Therapy Programme with protons and neutrons. As the iThemba LABS proton and neutron therapy programme diminished over recent years, the activities was replaced as per the Long Range Plan (LRP) resolution by radiation biology and radiation physics research activities. In order to optimize synergy and efficiency at iThemba LABS for the Nuclear Medicine related activities, both activities have been consolidated into one single Nuclear Medicine Department in 2018 which comprise of the Division: Radiopharmaceutical and Radiochemicals Manufacturing and the Division: Radiation Biophysics.
Facilities & Resources
Subatomic Physics – Infrastructure K600 Magnetic Spectrometer The K=600 magnetic spectrometer at iThemba LABS is a high resolution kinematically corrected magnetic spectrometer for light ions. It has the capability to measure inelastically scattered particles and reactions at extreme forward angles that includes zero degrees, making it one of only two facilities worldwide (the other being at RCNP, Japan) where high energy resolution is combined with zero degree measurements at medium beam energies. ALBA (African LaBr Array) Array of large-volume LaBr3:Ce detectors of 89mm diameter and 203mm length. Currently 6 detectors available and will be increased to 23 detectors in 2020. Fast Timing Array Eight 2”x”2 LaBr3(Ce) detectors, which are scintillation detectors bearing good efficiency for photon detection (~3%) and excellent timing resolution (~
Partner Organizations
Abbreviation |
iThemba
|
Country |
South Africa
|
Region |
Africa/Near East/S.Asia
|
Primary Language |
English
|
Evidence of Intl Collaboration? |
|
Industry engagement required? |
Associated Funding Agencies |
Contact Name |
Dr Faïçal Azaiez
|
Contact Title |
Director
|
Contact E-Mail |
Website |
|
General E-mail |
Director@tlabs.ac.za
|
Phone |
27 (21) 843 1000
|
Address |
PO Box 722
Somerset West
7129
|
Vision To be the leading African organisation for research, training and expertise in accelerator based sciences and technologies. Mission To provide state of the art facilities and programmes for high quality research, training and services in nuclear sciences and applications for the benefit of the people of South Africa and the continent in general. iThemba LABS operates the only cyclotron facilities in the African continent and the separated sector cyclotron is the largest accelerator facility in the Southern Hemisphere. The k-200 separated sector cyclotron can accelerate protons to energies of 200MeV, and heavier particles to much higher energies. Smaller accelerators at the Western Cape site are two injector cyclotrons, one providing intense beams of light ions, and the other, beams of polarized light ions or heavy ions; a 3MV Tandetron used mainly for research utilising ion beam analysis techniques; and a k=11 cyclotron for the production of the radioisotope Flourine-18 for supplying to local nuclear medicine facilities for imaging purposes. Accelerators at the Gauteng site include a 6MV tandem accelerator with a specialised high energy analysis system for Atomic Mass Spectrometry (AMS), and two low energy electrostatic accelerators for ion implantation and other surface science studies. The accelerators are used to accelerate charged particles for basic nuclear physics research, radioisotope production, radiobiology research related to particle therapy, and applications such as radiation hardness testing of electronic components used in satellites and detector calibrations. iThemba LABS have various collaboration agreements and joint training programmes with Higher Education Institutions and research laboratories around the world as a means to contribute to the human capital development mandate of the NRF. The laboratory also provides a platform for SA based researchers and postgraduate students to access global research facilities such as CERN, JINR and GSI/FAIR. To maintain and increase the excellence of the research and training activities, as well as respond to the demands from the research and isotope supply, iThemba LABS has developed a globally competitive research strategy and a related research infrastructure acquisition plan, based on the South African Isotope Facility (SAIF) project, which has two components: The ACE-Isotopes and the ACE-Beams. The first phase consists of the acquisition of the C70 cyclotron and the Low Energy Radioactive Beam (LERIB) project which will make iThemba LABS internationally competitive by expanding the nuclear astrophysics research and the study of neutron-rich nuclei, and materials research using rare isotopes.
Abbreviation |
iThemba
|
Country |
South Africa
|
Region |
Africa/Near East/S.Asia
|
Primary Language |
English
|
Evidence of Intl Collaboration? |
|
Industry engagement required? |
Associated Funding Agencies |
Contact Name |
Dr Faïçal Azaiez
|
Contact Title |
Director
|
Contact E-Mail |
Website |
|
General E-mail |
Director@tlabs.ac.za
|
Phone |
27 (21) 843 1000
|
Address |
PO Box 722
Somerset West
7129
|
Research Areas
Subatomic Physics
The research in basic nuclear physics involves mainly experimental studies of the properties of the nuclei at moderate to high excitation energy and angular momentum, as well as studies of the different mechanisms through which nuclear reactions occur.
Particle beams accelerated through the Separated Sector Cyclotron are used in the experiments. Light charged particles emitted in nuclear reactions are studied with the K-600 magnetic spectrometer.
Gamma-ray spectroscopy is carried out with the AFRODITE gamma-ray array. Neutron facility provides a beam of collimated near mono-energetic neutrons with energies up to 200 MeV. A multi-purpose large 1.5 m scattering chamber is used for studying charge particles emission in the nuclear reactions. Precise cross sections for nuclear reactions are measured on a dedicated beam line – sigma-R line.
The research in applied nuclear physics is focused on studying the natural and anthropogenic radioactivity of our environment and its use in practical applications.
All the studies are directed towards finding how these tiny pieces of matter – the atomic nuclei – are built, how they interact with each other, and how the acquired knowledge can be applied in order to improve our everyday life.
---
Tandem Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (TAMS)
TAMS is a leading primary centre of research, training and service expertise in accelerator based sciences and technologies to advance science in South Africa and beyond.
It provides advanced, viable, multidisciplinary facilities for research, training and services in the fields of nuclear related sciences for the pride and benefit of all the people of South Africa and rest of the continent.
---
Materials Research
The Materials Research Department (MRD) activities focus on research, modification and characterisation of materials using low energy ion beams, and other instrumental techniques for surface characterisation. The MRD has an extensive network of collaborators at national, African and international level.
The MRD has developed strong areas of expertise in ion-beam microprobe applications, specialised in biological applications in which they have become world leaders. This is closely coupled with the simultaneous development of specialised specimen preparation using cryo-techniques. The cryo-preparation laboratory has developed into a unique national facility. While the micro-probe facility is widely known and has a broad base of users and applications, the relatively younger cryo-preparation facility is not yet widely known.
Materials studies have been extended by facilities for XRD measurements. These techniques are complementary to ion-beam techniques and are appropriate for a research group that has as a strategic aim materials characterisation rather than purely ion beam applications. These techniques have their own specialised instruments and requirements. The machines are fully utilized.
The research of the group can be divided into the following broad themes:
. Ion-solid interaction: Study of fundamentals parameters
. Ion Beam Analysis (IBA)
· Nano-sciences and Nano-technology
. Materials engineering
. Thin film physics using material characterization and modification with ion beams
· Biological systems with a focus on elemental distribution and transport
· Geological and environmental studies using ion beams
· Innovation in instrumentation and electronics
---
Nuclear Medicine
Since the late 1980’s, the Nuclear medicine related endeavours at iThemba LABS has been a major pillar of the facility that has been supported by the two main activities: i) the Radioisotope Production Programme and ii) Particle Therapy Programme with protons and neutrons. As the iThemba LABS proton and neutron therapy programme diminished over recent years, the activities was replaced as per the Long Range Plan (LRP) resolution by radiation biology and radiation physics research activities. In order to optimize synergy and efficiency at iThemba LABS for the Nuclear Medicine related activities, both activities have been consolidated into one single Nuclear Medicine Department in 2018 which comprise of the Division: Radiopharmaceutical and Radiochemicals Manufacturing and the Division: Radiation Biophysics.
Facilities & Resources
Subatomic Physics – Infrastructure K600 Magnetic Spectrometer The K=600 magnetic spectrometer at iThemba LABS is a high resolution kinematically corrected magnetic spectrometer for light ions. It has the capability to measure inelastically scattered particles and reactions at extreme forward angles that includes zero degrees, making it one of only two facilities worldwide (the other being at RCNP, Japan) where high energy resolution is combined with zero degree measurements at medium beam energies. ALBA (African LaBr Array) Array of large-volume LaBr3:Ce detectors of 89mm diameter and 203mm length. Currently 6 detectors available and will be increased to 23 detectors in 2020. Fast Timing Array Eight 2”x”2 LaBr3(Ce) detectors, which are scintillation detectors bearing good efficiency for photon detection (~3%) and excellent timing resolution (~