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A compact ion source combining electron impact and thermal ionization has been developed and commissioned in two Multiple-Reflection Time-Of-Flight Mass Spectrometer (MR-TOF-MS) setups at the Fragment Separator Ion Catcher at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research, Darmstadt, Germany, and at TRIUMF's Ion Trap for Atomic and Nuclear science at TRIUMF Canada's particle accelerator center, Vancouver, Canada. The ion source is notable for its compact dimensions of 50 mm in height and 68 mm in diameter. The ion source is currently in daily operation at both facilities. Design, simulations, and results of combining ions from thermal and electron-impact ionization of different gases (perfluoropropane and sulfur hexafluoride) are presented in this work. The systematic effects of heating power on the thermal source were studied in detail. The source has demonstrated stable and long-term production of reference ions over a wide mass range for the MR-TOF-MS. This versatile ion source has also been used to optimize and investigate the transport of ions with different chemical reactivity and ionization potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of the Super-FRS instrument at the FAIR facility and its capabilities for studying exotic nuclei. The Super-FRS is equipped with various detector systems and has the unique feature of placing ancillary detectors between magnetic stages, allowing for new experimental opportunities. The article also mentions planned experiments in hadron physics and the search for superheavy nuclei beyond the proton drip-line. Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of these experiments in advancing our understanding of nuclear physics and the potential for groundbreaking discoveries at FAIR. [Extracted from the article]

Hans Geissel, a pioneer in radioactive ion beams, passed away on April 29, 2024. His career was closely tied to the development of the GSI Helmholtz-Center for Heavy-Ion Research in Germany, which laid the foundation for the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR). Geissel's work had a global impact and he made significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics, atomic physics, and ion optics. He was involved in the discovery of many exotic nuclei, the development of simulation programs, and the advancement of fragment separator facilities worldwide. Geissel received numerous awards for his groundbreaking work and was known for his international collaborations and openness to new ideas. [Extracted from the article]

Gottfried Münzenberg, a prominent scientist in the field of nuclear physics, passed away in January 2024. He played a significant role in shaping the scientific and instrumental portfolio of the Society for Heavy Ion Research (GSI) in Germany. Münzenberg made important contributions to various areas of nuclear physics, including the discovery of new chemical elements and the development of in-beam positron emission tomography. He was also involved in international collaborations and received numerous awards and honors for his work. Münzenberg is remembered not only for his scientific achievements but also for his wit and friendship. [Extracted from the article]