As part of the Rare Isotope Science Project (RISP), the construction of the RAON heavy/ion accelerator is a crucial step in making South Korea a force in scientific research. VAT was a key collaborator in the project, contributing accelerator expertise and customized vacuum valves to the project.作为稀有同位素科学项目（RISP）的一部分，RAON重离子加速器的建设是使韩国科学研究能力取得突破的关键一步。VAT是该项目的关键合作者，为该项目贡献了加速器专业知识和定制的真空阀。
The Rare Isotope Science Project (RISP) was originally established in 2012 as a master plan to build a heavy-ion accelerator (RAON) in Korea. Completion of the RISP in 2021 will enable advanced research on rare isotopes by the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), a Korean research institute for basic and applied science research. The IBS currently comprises 30 research centers with 68 research groups across the nation. Its headquarters are in Daejeon, South Korea, where the RISP project is being realized.
Focus on the accelerator
The Rare isotope Accelerator for ON-line experiments (RAON) is the main platform for RISP. Essentially a large scientific research facility built around a heavy-ion accelerator, RAON combines ionizing devices for heavy-ion beams, accelerator devices, rare isotope producing devices, VAT vacuum valves, and further advanced research equipment – everything that’s required for state-of-the-art nuclear and applied science research. Construction of the particle physics laboratory on the outskirts of Daejeon is set for completion in 2021.
RAON is designed to produce rare isotopes by accelerating and then colliding hydrogen ions (protons) or heavier ions into targets. The resulting mayhem is analyzed to identify the characteristics of new rare isotopes. Designed with cutting-edge superconducting radio frequency (SRF) technology, RAON will be one of the most advanced accelerators in the world when it goes online.
“Because of the level of complexity of the project, RAON researchers are collaborating with a number of other accelerator research groups, including CERN, Fermilab, TRIUMF, and Riken,” adds Kurt Sonderegger, VAT Product Manager for All-Metal Valves. “It’s no coincidence that all of these research groups happen to be VAT customers as well.”
Because VAT has collaborated on virtually every major accelerator project around the world over the past 40 years, the VAT product development team was involved in the conceptual design phase of RISP from the very beginning.
Special challenges for VAT valves
VAT provided RF all-metal gate valves (Series 47.2) as sector isolation valves and all-metal angle valves (Series 54.1 and 57.1) as pump isolation valves.
“The key advantages of the VAT all-metal valves are the reliable all-metal sealing technology, the proven valve mechanism and shock-free operation of the pneumatic valves, and cleanliness,” explains Jang Hun, VAT Project Coordinator for the RISP project. “The VAT components are produced and packaged according to the highest quality standards, including VAT’s renowned production and cleaning processes.”
The VAT RF-gate valve features a customized, narrower and more compact pneumatic actuator to fit into the limited space of the RAON layout. Because RISP was realized in three phases over a long period of time, it was important to ensure the valves could be reliably stored until they were installed. In order to prevent oxidation of the partially silver-plated valve interior parts, the valves were delivered with VAT’s long-term packaging.
The VAT all-metal valve models represent the globally-proven standard in vacuum valves for accelerator and synchrotron applications – and specifically for RAON’s superconducting radio frequency (SRF) environment.
“Once completed, RISP will enable scientists to analyze and discover the origin of elements, better understand the beginning and expansion of the universe, and the evolution of stars,” concludes Kurt Sonderegger. “It’s an exciting project!”
稀有同位素科学项目（RISP）最初建立于2012年，作为在韩国建造重离子加速器（RAON）的总体计划。2021年RISP的完成将使韩国基础和应用科学研究所基础科学研究所（IBS）能够对稀有同位素进行高级研究。IBS目前在全国拥有30个研究中心和68个研究小组。其总部位于韩国大田，RISP项目正在那里实现。
关注加速器
稀有同位素在线实验加速器（RAON）是RISP的主要平台。RAON基本上是一个围绕重离子加速器建造的大型科学研究设施，它结合了重离子束电离装置、加速器装置、稀有同位素产生装置、VAT真空阀和更先进的研究设备——最先进的核科学和应用科学研究所需的一切。大田郊外的粒子物理实验室计划于2021年完工。
RAON的设计是通过加速氢离子（质子）或重离子与目标碰撞产生稀有同位素。对由此产生的混乱进行分析，以确定新的稀有同位素的特征。RAON采用尖端超导射频（SRF）技术设计，上线后将成为世界上最先进的加速器之一。
“由于项目的复杂性，RAON的研究人员正在与其他一些加速器研究小组合作，包括CERN、Fermilab、TRIUMF和Riken，”VAT全金属阀门产品经理Kurt Sonderegger补充道所有这些研究小组碰巧也是增值税客户，这并非巧合。”
由于VAT在过去40年中几乎与世界各地的每一个主要加速器项目都有合作，VAT产品开发团队从一开始就参与了RISP的概念设计阶段。
VAT阀的特殊挑战
VAT提供RF全金属闸阀（47.2系列）作为扇形隔离阀，全金属角阀（54.1和57.1系列）作为泵隔离阀。
“VAT全金属阀门的关键优势在于可靠的全金属密封技术、经验证的阀门机制、气动阀门的无冲击操作以及清洁度，”RISP项目VAT项目协调员Jang Hun解释道增值税部件按照最高质量标准生产和包装，包括增值税著名的生产和清洁工艺。”
VAT RF闸阀采用定制、更窄、更紧凑的气动执行机构，以适应RAON布局的有限空间。由于RISP是在很长一段时间内分三个阶段实现的，因此确保阀门在安装之前能够可靠地存储是很重要的。为了防止部分镀银阀门内部零件的氧化，阀门在交付时采用了VAT的长期包装。
VAT全金属阀模型代表了加速器和同步加速器应用真空阀的全球公认标准，特别是RAON的超导射频（SRF）环境。
“一旦完成，RISP将使科学家能够分析和发现元素的起源，更好地了解宇宙的开始和膨胀，以及恒星的演化，”库尔特·桑德雷格总结道这是一个令人兴奋的项目！”