Synthesis of novel UC_x nanomaterials for online production of exotic isotope ion beams

Radioactive ion beams (RIBs) provide unique opportunities to study nuclear, atomic, surface and solid-state physics, astrophysics, nuclear forensics, medicine, and biology. The isotope separation online (ISOL) method is used at ISOLDE - CERN to create RIBs through the bombardment of thick high-temperature targets by an accelerated primary proton beam. As a result, radionuclides are generated in the target material via induced spallation, fragmentation and fission nuclear reactions. Once produced, the isotopes must first diffuse from the interior of the target to the surface and then evaporate from it, followed by ionization, acceleration, mass separation and further beam manipulation until delivered at the final user. From the experimental point of view, high intensity RIBs can be obtained by increasing the overall efficiencies, high isotope diffusion and short delay times, or by increasing the power of the primary beam. Minimum delay times can be achieved in targets with highly-permeable, low-density, open-structures operating at high temperatures. However, increased driver beam intensity might carry serious concerns for the target as thermal loads, radiation damage, or physical integrity under irradiation. Thus to find the ideal material for a thick target is a tremendous technological challenge for the ISOL technique. Nearly five decades after the first irradiation tests, micrometric uranium carbide-based materials are still the reference materials for radioactive ion-beam production. Nevertheless, it was recently proved that a significant increase of the release and yields of exotic isotopes can be obtained on submicron and nanostructured porous materials. The objective of this study is to produce submicron structured carbides of U to be tested as target materials at ISOLDE