Static and dynamic effects in gas targets used for medical isotope production

The penetration of light charged particles in gas targets has been studied. Light emitted by atoms was recorded by using video and film techniques and the charge distribution in the gas was measured. Transient effects and the equilibrium state of the charged-particle beams in gas targets were studied as a function of target volume, irradiation geometry, gas density and beam intensity. Oscillation of the beam volume has been observed as a function of time, which might be explained as a low-speed heat transfer effect.