Based on the “LINAG Phase 1” conceptual design, a two years detailed study on a ISOL‐type facility for the production of high intensity exotic beams, named SPIRAL2, has been launched. The radioactive isotope beams are produced via the fission process, with the aim of 1013fissions/s at least, induced in a UCxtarget either by fast neutrons from a C converter or by direct bombardment of fissile material. Fusion‐evaporation residues, using heavy ions beams in different targets can also be produced in this facility. The driver, with an acceleration potential of 40 MV will accelerate deuterons (5 mA) and q/A =3 ions (1 mA) Even heavier ions will be possible in a later stage. The driver consists in high‐performance ECR sources, an RFQ cavity and independent phase superconducting resonators. As it is a linear accelerator, further upgrade will be possible in future. © 2004 American Institute of Physics