Fabrication and characterization of thin targets of nickel (61,62Ni) isotopes by physical vapour deposition technique for nuclear reaction studies

Abstract

To perform nuclear reaction experiments at HIRA, IUAC, New Delhi, thin (100–150 μg/cm2) and pure 61,62Ni targets of uniform thickness are required. Self supporting targets are preferable for such case but, instead, carbon-backed isotopic targets are fabricated by adapting physical vapour deposition technique as it was comparatively more stable and consistent. Around 25 thin targets of both 61,62Ni isotopes are prepared using the limited amount of available enriched target material (less than 100 mg). The carbon-backed slides along with the parting agents are prepared using a diffusion pump based coating unit and the target material is deposited over the carbon-backed slides in the turbopump based coating unit. To obtain consistent and intact targets, some trials were done with deposited slides and was found that the material degrades in any of the slides when kept idle for few days. The thicknesses of the targets are verified using profilometer, α energy loss technique, and RBS technique. They were found to be in good agreement with each other using the three techniques. The purity and the uniformity of the fabricated targets are further confirmed after verification using the RBS, the EDS and the XRD techniques.