Preparation of Hexagonal SrMnO3 High-Quality Target for Magnetron Sputtering

In recent years, the optical behavior of complex oxides are being increasingly used in light-harvesting applications. Perovskites are promising candidates for photovoltaic, photocatalytic, and optoelectric applications because of tunable band gaps and other unique properties such as fer-roelectricity To study the optical behavior of ferromagnetic-ferroelectric oxides, SrMnO3 (SMO3) targets intended for use in magnetron sputtering were prepared using SrCO3 (99.99%) and Mn2O3 (99.99%) powders by a two-step solid reaction method. Experiments were performed at various temperatures to determine the optimum calcination temperature of the SMO3 powder (1000 °C) and optimum sintering temperature of the prepared target (1300 °C), in an effort to optimize the preparation process of the target at the laboratory scale and reduce the cost of the target by more than 20-fold. Samples of the ground powder were calcined at 800, 1000, 1200, and 1300 °C for 10 h, and the resultant targets were pressed into 1 -in molds after grinding and subsequently sintered at the same temperatures at which the corresponding powders were calcined, i.e., at 800, 1000, 1200, and 1300 °Cfor 48 h. The microcrystalline state of the powders was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The prepared targets were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, and the results were compared with the powder diffraction file card of hexagonal SMO3 to determine the optimum calcination temperature and sintering temperature of the powder formulation. Finally, the Vickers hardness values of the targets were measured, and the optimum target preparation process was determined.

Isotopically Enriched 192Os Target Preparation using the Electron-gun Beam Method at Target Preparation Laboratory, Daresbury, UK.

In this work, we have discussed a novel electron gun beam method used for the preparation of an Osmium foil sample at Daresbury Target Preparatory Laboratory, UK, which was used during the 192Os(18O, 16O)194Os 2 neutron transfer reaction at IFIN-HH Bucharest. The successful measurement of gamma energies associated with the 194Os isotopic nucleus recorded from the experiment with the high resolution HPGe detectors from this clean target of 192Os showed that this method has proven very efficient in preparing the most difficult osmium target which other methods like the sputtering, thermal evaporation could not get it prepared due to the high melting point of about 3000 0C found in the Osmium foil.

Target preparation for neutron-induced reaction measurements

Neutron-induced reaction measurements, e.g. cross-sections and particle emission yields, require samples, called "targets", with specific properties depending on the reaction being studied and the quantities being measured. The target characteristics influence the results of these measurements and can have a strong impact on the total uncertainty of neutron-induced reaction data, which are important for industry and in research. This paper gives an overview of the main techniques applied in the target preparation laboratory at JRC-Geel for production and characterization of targets for neutron-induced reaction data measurements. The use of different targets is demonstrated with a few examples of total and reaction cross-section as well as nuclear fission experiments. In addition, on-going investigations and technical developments are presented.

The Argonne Target Library

As part of the proposal to DOE-NP for the Center for Accelerator Target Science (CATS) initiative, one of the objectives was to develop an inventory of existing targets that will serve as a pool available to the community. Targets collections have been recovered from Yale University due to the closing of their Tandem Accelerator Facility. In addition, accumulated targets from target preparation in the Physics Division over several decades have also been assembled with the intent of providing them to whomever would have a use for them. Space has now become available to compile, catalogue and house these collections. Thus, the Argonne Target Library has been established and its progress and outlook will be discussed in detail.

Rhenium and iridium targets prepared using a novel graphene loading technique

For accelerator targets, graphene films are an excellent material choice due to their high thermal conductivity, high temperature tolerance, low outgassing, mechanical integrity, and ease of handling. A variety of targets have been produced using graphene material as a backing or a host matrix. One of the unique advantages of the graphene film fabrication process is the capability to embed target materials, including refractory metals, in the nanoparticle form into a host graphene matrix during target preparation. Targets of natIr and natRe have been fabricated as nanoparticle loaded graphene targets for use in nuclear physics research. We have obtained beam time to evaluate target performance as well as production yields and nuclear decay properties via the natRe(a,2n)186Ir and natIr(a,3n)194Au reactions, respectively. These rhenium and iridium targets will be irradiated using the ATLAS accelerator and gamma rays measured in-place using the high-precision gamma-ray spectroscopy capabilities of Gammasphere and further analyzed using a multi-parameter detector system. Future plans include the preparation of isotopic targets of these two elements.

Manufacturing and characterization of targets at IFIN-HH: developing an interdisciplinary body of knowledge

Target manufacturing is one fundamental issue in nuclear physics experiments using accelerators. A variety of targets are required, each having to satisfy specific conditions related to the experimental particularities. In this context, a brief description of the target preparation laboratory developed at IFIN-HH is presented in this paper. To fulfill the specific requirements, the laboratory is endowed with high performance equipment for evaporation-condensation (thermal resistance, e-based systems, sputtering) and cold rolling. During the last years, consistent technological improvements were achieved. Target characteristics, quality and reliability are important for our experiments’ feasibility in the first place, but also for the degree of confidence in the assumed accuracy. Consequently, XRD, AFM, SEM/EDX and RBS analyses are performed in collaboration with specialized departments from our institute and from other research centers.This paper is meant to synthetize our work so far.