Manufacturing of calcium, lithium and molybdenum targets for use in nuclear physics experiments

This paper describes methods used in the manufacturing of chemically reactive targets such as calcium (natCa), lithium-6 (6Li) and molybdenum–97 (97Mo) for nuclear physics experiments at the iThemba LABS cyclotron facility (Faure, South Africa). Due to the chemical properties of these materials a suitable and controlled environment was established in order to minimize oxygen contamination of targets. Calcium was prepared by means of vacuum evaporation while lithium was cold rolled to a desired thickness. In the case of molybdenum, the metallic powder was melted under vacuum using an e-gun followed by cold rolling of the metal bead to a desired thickness. In addition, latest developments toward the establishment of a dedicated nuclear physics target laboratory are discussed.