Nelson, BC — D‑Pace Inc., a global provider of advanced ion sources and related technology, has successfully designed, delivered, and commissioned a fully integrated 2.45 GHz Electron Cyclotron Resonance (ECR) ion source system for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The system now operates as a key tool for efficient delivery of low energy ion beams at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE).

Selected by LANL for its proven performance and engineering robustness, the D‑Pace solution provides reliable delivery of mass‑resolved krypton ion beams while meeting demanding requirements for beam quality, stability, and operational reliability. The project underscores D‑Pace’s growing reputation as a trusted partner for national laboratories and research facilities requiring custom, mission‑critical ion source solutions.

A Fully Integrated, Turnkey Solution

Building on D‑Pace’s well‑established, field‑proven 2.45 GHz ECR platform—licensed from Neutron Therapeutics LLC (USA)—the system was delivered as a complete low‑energy heavy‑ion solution. The turnkey package integrates the ECR ion source with beamline transport, a high‑resolution spectrometer magnet, diagnostics, a beam dump, and a full industrial control and safety system, all engineered for long‑term operation in various high‑radiation environments over its lifetime.

The system was designed, manufactured, integrated, and validated entirely by D‑Pace, reducing technical and schedule risk for LANL while ensuring tight performance alignment with experimental objectives. Factory acceptance testing was completed at D‑Pace’s Ion Source Test Centre in Nelson, British Columbia, followed by successful installation and commissioning at Los Alamos National Laboratory

Precision Performance for Advanced Research

A central requirement of the project was for the Low Energy Heavy Ion Source (LEHIS) system to successfully separate isotopes of heavy ions, such as krypton.. To meet this need, D‑Pace engineered a beamline and spectrometer system capable of high mass resolution across a variable beam energy range. The system has demonstrated clear, repeatable separation of krypton isotopes, validating both the ion source performance and overall system design.

A key element of this capability is D‑Pace’s use of a field‑proven ECR platform, optimized in‑house to meet LANL’s specific performance and operational requirements. This approach combined rapid development with high confidence in long‑term reliability.

Engineering for Reliability and Maintainability

Beyond beam performance, the project required exceptional reliability and maintainability. D‑Pace addressed this through robust mechanical design, modular subsystems, radiation‑tolerant controls, and industrial‑grade safety systems. The final installation supports safe remote operation, flexible tunability, and minimal maintenance interruption—critical attributes for high‑value national laboratory facilities.

Demonstrating D‑Pace’s Global Expertise

Figure 1: Low Energy Heavy Ion Source (LEHIS) system at D‑Pace during factory acceptance testing

“This project is an excellent example of D‑Pace’s ability to deliver complex, turnkey ion source systems that perform reliably in demanding environments,” said Richard McElroy, CEO of D-Pace. “From early validation testing through onsite commissioning and ongoing operational support, our team worked closely with LANL to ensure the system met both current and future needs.”

The successful deployment at LANSCE strengthens D‑Pace’s position as a leading supplier of ion sources and low‑energy beam systems for scientific, industrial, and national laboratory applications worldwide.