Fabrication of $^{108}$Cd target for the astrophysical p-process studies

Abstract

The detailed process of preparing enriched $^{108}$Cd targets on mylar and copper backing using the vacuum evaporation technique is described. These targets were employed in an experiment to measure the proton capture cross-section at energies significantly below the Coulomb barrier, for the astrophysical p-process studies. Due to the low melting point and high vapor pressure of cadmium, some adjustments were implemented in the Telemark multipocket e-beam setup. The target thickness was determined through the measurement of alpha particle energy loss from a triple alpha source and also by RBS measurements. The thickness of the $^{108}$Cd films varies between 290 to 660 $\mu$g/cm$^2$, with a non-uniformity of approximately 10$\%$. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyses were conducted to examine the presence of impurities and to assess surface morphology, phase, and chemical composition.