HIE-ISOLDE SC Linac progress and commissioning in 2016

The HIE-ISOLDE project (High Intensity and Energy ISOLDE) reached an important milestone in October 2015 when the first physics run was carried out with radioactive Zn beams at 4 MV/m. This is a first stage in the upgrade of the REX post-accelerator, whereby the energy of the radioactive ion beams was increased from 3 to 4.3 MeV per nucleon. The facility will ultimately be equipped with four high-beta cryomodules that will accelerate the beams up to 10 MeV per nucleon for the heaviest isotopes available at ISOLDE. The first cryomodule of the new linac, hosting five superconducting cavities and one solenoid, was commissioned in summer 2015, while the second one was being assembled in clean room. The new high-energy beam transfer lines were installed and commissioned in the same lapse of time. Commissioning with two cryomodules is planned for Summer 2016 to prepare for a physics run at 5.5 MeV/u in the second half of the year. This contribution will focus on the results of the commissioning and operation of the SC linac in 2015. Plans for the second phase of the HIE-ISOLDE project will be highlighted.