A technique for the preparation of thin self-supporting metallic gallium targets

Frekers D, Lennarz A, Puppe P. Thies JH

Abstract

Self-supporting gallium targets (natGa, 69Ga, 71Ga) with areal densities varying between 2 and 4 mg/cm2 have been produced for a medium-energy (3He, t) nuclear scattering experiment. A new method for target preparation, involving melting, squeezing and shock-freezing the material has been employed. The special and peculiar properties of the gallium metal material are described, which necessitate special procedures for thin foil and thin target production.