Liquid lithium charge stripping technology: Achievement and lessons learned

Liquid metal technology is key to the next-generation high-power hadron facilities. Following early R&D collaboration between Argonne National Laboratory and Michigan State University, FRIB pioneered the technology of liquid lithium thin film and is the first in the world applying such technology in accelerator operations. FRIB uses a liquid lithium film for the charge stripping of high-power heavy-ion beams, enabling FRIB to achieve world’s highest power uranium beam on target. Liquid lithium technology has been successfully applied to the liquid lithium charge stripper for FRIB operations, offering a superior choice for charge stripping of high-power heavy ion beams including uranium. Valuable experience has been gained in the performance and maintenance. This talk focuses on operational experience, lessons learned and future improvements.