Preparation of targets by electro-deposition

Preparing a good quality target is one of the major aspects of any nuclear physics study. Targets for nuclear reaction and spectroscopic study can be prepared by various methods, viz. e-beam deposition, thermal evaporation, sputtering, rolling, solvent casting method, etc. Most of these techniques are very adequate for preparing thin targets from metallic sample elements (except sputtering, which can be used to prepare targets from oxide material). In some cases, the required study element or isotope is more easily available in oxide forms. Preparing targets from oxide composition requires a different approach. Preparation of thick targets (few hundred microns to mm) can be done by pelletization. For thin targets, sputtering can be used, but for that also, a solid piece of oxide sample is required. Preparation of thin targets from powder samples can be done by the electro-deposition method. Here, a simple electro-deposition setup has been presented