Self-supporting carbon targets by e-gun evaporation

A successful technique to overcome the difficulties in preparing self-supporting carbon targets using isotopic carbon in powder form is described. Using this technique, targets up to thicknesses of 140 μg/cm2 were prepared by e--gun evaporation. Elemental purity, durability and uniformity of these targets have been tested using the protons from a Van de Graaff accelerator. Their performance has been compared with commercially available targets. (orig.)