particle accelerators in africa : networking by operators

Particle Accelerators in Africa : networking by operators and users

October 27, 2021


October 27, 2021

1. Brief history of charged particle accelerators in Algeria and their

current operation status

Three charged particle accelerators have been installed at Ex.-Institute

for Nuclear Studies of Algiers :

- Van de Graaff model KN 3 MV (1959) : manufactured at Boston by

the HVEC (USA).

- 0.6 MV accelerator (1959) : manufactured at Grenoble by SAMES

(France).

- 2 MV Van de Graaff accelerator (1960) : gift from “Ecole

polytechnique” (France).


October 27, 2021

V.d.G.-3 MV

Overview of the Institute for Nuclear Studies of Algiers showing the accelerators building (Photo taken in summer 1961)

0.6 MV SAMES Accelerator(Dismantled in the 1980s)

V.d.G.-2 MV

(Dismantled ~ 1961s)




October 27, 2021

An upgrading of the KN 3 MV V.d.G. was performed in 1976 by

increasing its energy from 3 MV to 3.75 MV.

Age : more than 60 years old

Many of the components are dating back to 1959

In 1988:

▪ 150 kV Neutrons Generator (SAMES, France) : supply problem

with tritium targets

▪ 200 kV NE3206 Ion implanter (Eaton, USA) : Problem with the

accelerator tube and the source vaporizer




October 27, 2021

A current photo of building housing the three accelerators



200 kV NE 3206 Ion implanter 150 kV Neutrons Generator V.d.G.-3.75 MV


October 27, 2021

2. Overview of the scientific research and application

The scientific activities and applications developed around the

Algiers’s accelerators mainly focus on :

- Nuclear sciences,

- Nuclear techniques,

- Materials sciences,


October 27, 2021


Nuclear sciences : Measurement and evaluation of atomic and

nuclear data

- Slowing down of ions in mater (Energy loss, energy loss straggling,

multiple scattering)

- Sputtering

- Nuclear astrophysics and gamma astronomy (studying gamma

astronomy in various astrophysical sites, understanding nuclear -

ray line emission processes, etc.)

- Nuclear structure and reactions


October 27, 2021


Nuclear techniques : implementation and application

1- MeV Ion Beam Analysis : VdG-3.75 MV accelerator

- RBS : Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry

- EBS : Elastic (non- Rutherford) Backscattering Spectroscopy

- NRA : (Inelastic) Nuclear Reaction Analysis

- PIXE : Particle Induced X-ray Emission

- PIGE : Particle Induced Gamma-ray Emission

2- Neutron production and application : Neutrons Generator

- NAA : Neutron activation Analysis

- PGNAA : Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis


October 27, 2021


Materials sciences :

- Materials under irradiation and irradiation effects

- Nanostructuration by irradiation

- Materials characterization and synthesis

- Thin film studies


October 27, 2021

3. Human resources

Current situation :

Staff working around these facilities :

- 10 researchers as permanent users

- 03 technicians for operation and maintenance of the machines

Notice that most of these people are near retirement

Future challenges :

Recruitment of young researchers, engineers and technicians :

- maintain and enhance the experience acquired around these

accelerators.

- invest in new scientific research perspectives.

- Preparation for a possible new machine.


October 27, 2021

4. Education, training and collaborations

Education and training: The Algiers’s accelerators played an

important role in the quality training of a large part of the post-

independence generation of researchers, research-professors,

engineers and technicians in various fields of basic and applied

sciences, in particular nuclear sciences and materials physics.

Several master's theses and doctoral dissertations have been thus

produced in many Algerian universities using these machines

Collaborations : The center has scientific collaborations in the

field of the use of charged particle beams for basic and applied

research with mainly the local universities and iThemba LABS

(South Africa).


October 27, 2021

5. Contribution of IAEA to our Lab

Previous experience :

Technical Assistance through the IAEA ALG projects :

- Expert’s missions.

- Acquisition of the materials and equipment,

- Scientific visits and trainings.

Expected actions :

We need assistance :

- to develop and upgrade the 3.75 MV VdG accelerator.

- for purchasing the tritiated targets (Neutrons Generator).

- get the ion implanter working

- in the implementation of nuclear techniques.

- to improve technical skills and expertise.

- in writing the technical specifications for purchasing a new

electrostatic accelerator and associated equipment.


October 27, 2021

6. Plans and hopes for the future

▪ Purchasing and installing a new electrostatic accelerator

- Implementation of nuclear techniques.

- Develop new fundamental and applied research activities.

- Training of young researchers, engineers and technicians

▪ Develop links :

- to the socio-economic sectors of Algeria and Africa.

- To education and training (universities, institutes and

schools from Algeria and Africa)

▪ Establish national and international collaborations in the field of

fundamental and applied sciences, based on accelerated

charged particles.


October 27, 2021

particle accelerators in africa : networking by operators

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