Beam list 

KSEE available beam list (updated February 2026)

Calendar of availability (updated 16 February 2026)

February 2026 – September 2026

Booking

To initiate a booking request, please contact the SEE User Manager.

Beam generation and delivery

Beams are generated in ECR ion source and accelerated in the K500 cyclotron before delivery to the KSEE experimental vault. KSEE currently offers various beam energy classes spanning LET values from <1 to 83 MeV·cm²/mg and fluxes ranging from 10² to 10⁷ ions/cm²/s.

The cocktail beam format enables highly efficient LET testing by accelerating multiple ion species with similar mass-to-charge (M/Q) ratios simultaneously. By simply adjusting cyclotron parameters, users can rapidly switch between ions—modifying LET, energy, and flux—without hardware changes or retuning. This flexibility streamlines testing and maximizes beamline uptime. The beam is provided continuously with a 99.5% duty factor, 100Hz repetition rate, and a 9.95ms pulse duration (0.05ms gap every 10ms).

Beam uniformity and homogeneity

Beams are attenuated to provide uniform fluence over a maximum spot area of approximately 40 x 40mm² at the target device location. Smaller spots down to 1 x 1mm² can be produced on request. Inhomogeneity of the beam distribution is typically <10%. Beam purity is determined by a calibration Si PIN detector stack and multi-channel analyzer (MCA), which provides a spectrum of intercepted beam energy. 

Energy degradation

Energy degradation is achieved through both facility-provided and user-controlled methods. Facility-based energy degradation is configured via beam tuning parameters and includes copper foils of 5, 10, and 15 μm thickness, along with the 3 mil (76.2 μm) polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) vacuum window.

User-controlled degradation options include a variable air gap (30–100 mm) and an in-vacuum degrader ladder composed of aluminum foils. Foils are inserted using the touch panel at the experimental area or user control room. Foils can be inserted independently, and their thicknesses summed together.

Exposure selection and control

Beam species, energy, and flux changes are conducted by FRIB operators at the request of SEE users. Users are given control of a beam shutter to manage beam exposure time. 

Various beam exposure settings are offered including maximum fluence, run time, and maximum dose. Exposure settings can be set by users from the SEE user control rooms at any time during exposure runs. A timing signal synchronized with beam on/off is available both in the experimental area and the user control room.  The signal is generated in VLTTL format, with BEAM_OFF = 0V and BEAM_ON = +3.3V when terminated to high impedance, or +1.7V when terminated with 50 Ω. 

Beam dosimetry and reporting

Beam energy, energy spread, purity, and particle flux are all routinely measured during a user’s testing period. Particle purity is characterized by using silicon PIN diodes, while beam energy is determined through cyclotron instrumentation. Intensity and flux stability are monitored via current readback from instrumented collimating slits and a photomultiplier tube detector. 

Real time dosimetry monitoring and reporting is provided to users. Dosimetry reporting collects individual exposure runs into "batches." Batch reports are emailed to the user point-of-contact person on demand. Reports may be generated singly, or in batches to reduce instances of email. Reports are generated in .txt and MATLAB-compatible formats and are provided on demand when reports are generated. All data is archived and time stamped. 

Experimental area

The experimental area is located at the end of the KSEE beamline. The area allows space for various user equipment and supplies local AC power (120V, 15A), with additional wall power configurations available upon request. Remotely controlled power is also available. 

User devices are mounted to one of several available mounting boards (see Downloads for board patterns). The mounting board will be prepositioned to ensure easy access and adequate clearance from the beam exit window (vacuum window). Lightweight devices may be positioned on the rotational stage to support instrumentation or testing. An air-powered heating element is available for thermal testing. It is positioned in front of the DUT and can be used to simulate elevated temperature conditions during beam exposure. The output temperature is user-adjustable and can be remotely established and controlled through the touchscreen interface, allowing for precise thermal conditioning throughout the test cycle.

The mounting platform accommodates devices up to 15 × 15 inches and supports both Texas A&M University (TAMU) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) mounting hole patterns. The stage allows ±7.5 inches of horizontal and vertical motion and supports rotation in yaw up to 45°. The 3/8-inch-thick mounting plate is secured with four #10-24 × ½-inch screws to the vertical stand and supports a maximum load of 30 lbs. Larger apparatus may be accommodated with prior discussion and planning. Users may install their own mounting board or consult SEE staff for modifications to the standard mounting scheme.

Two line laser elements are provided to assist with aligning elements to the beam axis. A third laser is also available to measure air gap distances and to calibrate the position of user DUTs. All lasers are remotely powered by user inputs. 

Touchscreen controls are provided for users at the beamlines and user control rooms to facilitate positioning and transition between separately mounted devices. Laser crosshairs are aligned to the beam axis to verify horizontal and vertical (x,y) positioning, and a laser ruler mounted above the beamline measures airgap distance (z) between the vacuum window and DUT, up to 100 mm. 

User control room

Industrial-standard touch-panel-based controls provide users with comprehensive control over device presentation, exposure shutter state, as well as beam and dose statistics.

The control interface shown below is available both in the user control room and the experimental area. Beam exposure settings are defined in the lower-left corner of the screen, while batch control of exposure (Start Run/End Run) and report generation (Generate Reports) are accessible in the lower-right corner. Full mounting stage control is also available, including motion control in all four axis and the ability to save and home to preset locations.

Cable routing is available from the user room to experimental area via dedicated wall conduits. The cable run is ~47ft from user room to the device mounting stand. Dedicated tools and support staff are present to assist with any cable routing required.