The laser ion source (LIS) at the Leuven isotope separator on-line facility has been used to produce beams of exotic nuclei obtained in different types of nuclear reactions. The application of a gas cell filled by noble gas for thermalizing, storing and transporting trace radioactive ions and atoms, has been studied in off- and on-line conditions. Two-step laser resonance ionization has been used to produce ions of stable and radioactive isotopes inside the cell of the LIS. Results from proton-induced fission on 238U and light-/heavy-ion-induced fusion reactions are presented. The interactions of ions with impurity molecules, with noble gas atoms, with electrons and with electrical fields have been investigated in order to specify the requirements for the gas cell as a source of radioactive rare isotopes for the next generation radioactive ion beam facilities.