A transversely polarised deuteron target for kaon-nucleon interaction studies

Design options and constraints on a dynamically polarised target for K+N and K-N experiments around 1 GeV/c are discussed and the Rutherford Laboratory solution presented. The development of a recipe for 92% deuterated target material is followed. The particularly powerful 3He evaporation refrigerator is documented in some detail. The display and calibration of proton and deuteron polarisations using automatically tuned NMR spectrometers is described with regard to the elimination of systematic errors. The performance of the target is evaluated. Up to 93% proton polarisation and 36% deuteron polarisation have been achieved in continuous operation at 430 mK and 2.5 T, with 75 mW of microwave power dissipated in 50 cm3 of target material. (author)