Gas Catcher Cell (IMAGE) DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Caption Argonne physicist Guy Savard examines a “gas catcher cell” developed for the proposed Rare Isotope Accelerator. The cell provides a new way to generate intense beams of short-lived, exotic nuclear isotopes for basic research in nuclear physics and other sciences. The device separates exotic ions that were produced in thin targets and brought to rest in a catcher cell filled with pressurized helium. This new technology will help give physicists high-quality exotic beams of any element in the periodic table. The Rare Isotope Accelerator is one of the U.S. Department of Energy's top-ranked projects necessary to keep the U.S. at the forefront of scientific research. Argonne National Laboratory photo. Credit Courtesy: Argonne National Laboratory Usage Restrictions Image available for use with an Argonne acknowledgement. Image may not be used for advertising or other commercial purposes, or in such a way as to imply an endorsement of any product or service by Argonne National Laboratory. License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.