The target lab

For the investigation of nuclear reactions isotopically enriched targets of stable or radioactive isotopes are required. These targets are mostly thin films of the specific isotope, either self supporting or on a suitable backing foil. Typically, in a nuclear physics experiment, a target is bombarded with high energy heavy ions, leading to reaction products consisting of short lived excited nuclei. In case of radioactive targets, however, such exotic nuclei are sometimes accessible also by the spontaneous decay of the target material. For example, ²²⁹Th is produced by the α-decay of ²³³U (MAP project B.1.2).      

Basically, the following techniques are available at our laboratory:

• High vacuum evaporation-condensation

• Ion beam sputter deposition in ultra high vacuum

• Rolling of thin metal foils in open air or in a protective gas atmosphere

We have various apparatus for

1. Stable target production:

• Four high vacuum coating plants

• One ultrahigh vacuum micro sputter plant, and

• Two thin film rolling mills, one of them working under protective gas.

2. Radioactive target production in a dedicated Hot Lab facility, which is equipped with a standard high vacuum coating plant and one small vacuum coating plant for processing of sub-milligram quantities of isotopic material. All operations with radioactive material are performed in gas-tight glove boxes.

This Hot Lab facility is unique in the Western Hemisphere.