A remotely controlled, semi-automatic target system for Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and elastic recoil detection analyses of polymeric membrane samples

A new target system for Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and elastic recoil detection analysis is described which enables remotely controlled, semi-automatic analysis of multiple organic polymer samples without exceeding damaging incident beam fluences. Control of fluence at a given beam current is achieved using two stepper motors to move a thin aluminum disk loaded with polymer samples both radially and azimuthally across the beam. Flexible beam spot locations and sample irradiation times are remotely controlled in two steps via two custom LabVIEW™ programs. In the first step, a digital image of the target disk is converted into precise radial and azimuthal coordinates for each mounted polymer sample. In the second step, the motors implement the user-directed sample irradiation and fluence. Schematics of the target system hardware, a block diagram of interactions between the target system components, a description of routine procedures, and illustrative data taken with a 2 MeV 4He2+ analysis beam are provided.