UCx target preparations and characterizations

The Target-Ion Source unit is the core of an ISOL-RIB facility. Many international ISOL facilities have chosen different layouts of this unit. All research groups are involved in research and development of targets capable of dissipating high power and, at the same time, be able to have a fast isotope release. This is mandatory in order to produce beams of short half-life isotopes. The research of new materials with advanced microstructural features is crucial in this field. The design of a proper target is indeed strictly related to the obtainment of porous refractory materials, which are capable to work under extreme conditions (temperatures up to 2000°C in high vacuum) with a high release efficiency. For SPES, the second generation Italian ISOL-RIB Facility, the target will be made of uranium carbide (UCx) in which, by fission induced by a proton beam of 40 MeV of energy (8kW of power), isotopes in the 60-160 amu mass region are produced. All these technological developments are also crucial in the study of third generation ISOL facilities.