https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/202022904002
Method development for producing thin 14C foils
1 Physics Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, United States
2 Applied Nanotech Inc., Austin, Texas, United States
* Corresponding author: mgott@anl.gov
Published online: 28 February 2020
Thin, isotopic 14C foils are of great interest to the nuclear physics community as neutron-rich targets. Historically, these foils have been extremely difficult to prepare and an effort is underway to make them readily available. The stock material of 14C available at Argonne contains a number of oxide impurities (SiO2, MgO, and Al2O3), which affect the composition and stability of the fabricated foil. A simple, robust method was developed (using natC as a surrogate) to purify the 14C material while minimizing loss and potential spread of the material. Thin foils were fabricated using the purified carbon, the unpurified carbon/oxide mix, and purchased high-purity carbon powder. SEM and EDS of the resulting foils was performed and the efficacy of this purification method was demonstrated.
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2020
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