Preparation and thickness determination of thin metallic 6Li targets

Abstract

It is indispensible for nuclear reaction studies between 6Li and 6Li at energies above E( 6 Li)≈8 MeV to use targets which are largely free of carbon, oxygen, and fluorine. The preparation of metallic 6Li targets on thin titanium and nickel backings and the precautions taken to avoid such contaminations during production, storage, and irradiation are described. The target thicknesses are determined by comparison with 6Li( 6Li, p) 11B reaction rates at suitable beam energies from a thin 6Li deposit on a carbon backing. The 6Li content of the latter is determined by Rutherford scattering of 58Ni ions at E lab=8.5 MeV.