IRIS : ISAC Charged Particle Reaction Spectroscopy Station

Saint Mary's University, Vancouver, British Columbia
What the facility does

Fundamentals of subatomic physics

Areas of expertise

IRIS is a facility, unique in the world, which undertakes rare isotope science. The facility has pioneered the use of a thin solid hydrogen (cryogenic) target to study the nuclear reactions of rare isotopes. The facility has also developed a low-pressure ionization chamber that enables identification of the accelerated rare isotope element species. The facility uses highly segmented semiconductor silicon detectors to tag the reaction. Researchers use highly sophisticated VME- and NIM-based electronics for data processing. The facility stepped into its operational phase in 2013 with a vigorous scientific program, whose core elements include the development of data analysis and processing software. 

Research services

Data Processing, computer simulation programs, testing of electronics, data analysis 

Sectors of application
  • Education
  • Information and communication technologies and media
  • Professional and technical services (including legal services, architecture, engineering)
Specialized labEquipmentFunction
IRIS-ISACII TRIUMFIRISReaction facility for subatomic physics
  • KEK
  • McMaster University
  • Research Center for Nuclear Physics (Osaka/Japan)
  • Simon Fraser University
  • TRIUMF
  • The University of Guelph