Simulation of recoil trajectories in gas-filled magnetic separators

A computer code has been developed to simulate the production of heavy element compound nucleus recoils and their trajectories through gas-filled magnetic separators. The simulation is carried out in three steps: positions and trajectories of heavy element recoils in the target layer, propagation through remaining target material, and trajectories through the gas-filled separator. Separators with quite different magnetic configurations are modeled: the Berkeley gas-filled separator (BGS) and two magnetic configurations for the TransActinide separator and chemistry apparatus (TASCA). While computing trajectories through the gas-filled separator, special attention is paid to the charge exchange/equilibration and scattering in the gas. New features of these simulations include mixed He/H-2/N-2 gas operation and a gas density (pressure) effect. Numerical procedures used in the simulations are explained in detail. Results of the simulations are presented, showing the gas mixtures/pressures that result in the highest efficiency for collecting compound nucleus recoils at the focal plane of the gas-filled separator. Comparison between simulation and experimental results are presented for average recoil ion charge in various gases, focal plane image size, and magnetic rigidity dispersion. Published by Elsevier B.V.