Preparation of isotopic Zn and Cd targets

nat,68Zn and natCd have been reduced from their oxides with high yields (about 90%) using carbon as reductant. A water-cooled copper pin collector was used resulting in higher yield and better reproducibility. natZn and nat, 113, 116Cd targets of 20–3000 μg/cm2 on carbon backings of 20 μg/cm2 have been deposited by focused ion beam sputtering. 67, 68, 70Zn targets of 200–400 μg/cm2 on iron backings of about 1.3 mg/cm2 have been prepared using a rotating substrate setup to improve target homogeneity. Using a special rolling technique, 64, 66, 68, 70Zn and 110, 114, 116Cd have also been rolled to thin foils.