Encapsulated Sulfur targets for light ion beam experiments

A new method was developed to produce enriched Sulfur targets with minimum loss of material. This was made possible by inserting Sulfur in-between two 0.5 μm Mylar foils (C10H8O4). The initial aim was to ensure that the Sulfur targets reduce by no more than 50% of the initial thickness within 24 hours under the equivalent of 10 J/cm² of integrated energy deposition by an energetic (Eb > 50 MeV) proton beam. There is no loss of enriched material while making the target, as all the material is deposited within the surface area to be exposed to the beam. During beam irradiation, the targets were frequently swivelled in order to expose each part of the target to the beam and achieve homogeneous irradiation. Targets of 0.4 mg/cm² thickness were produced and characterised using ion beam analysis technique with a 3 MeV proton beam.