Electron beam–plasma ionizing target for the production of neutron-rich nuclides

The production of neutron-rich Ag, In and Sn isotopes from a uranium carbide target of a high density has been investigated at the IRIS facility in the PLOG (PNPI-Legnaro-GANIL-Orsay) collaboration. The UC target material with a density of 12 g/cm3 was prepared by the method of powder metallurgy in a form of pellets of 2 mm thickness, 11 mm in diameter and grain dimensions of about 20 μm. The uranium target mass of 31 g was exposed at a 1 GeV proton beam of intensity 0.05–0.07 μA. For the ionization of the produced species the electron beam–plasma ionization inside the target container (ionizing target) has been used. It was the first experiment when the new high density UC target material was exploited with the electron–plasma ionization. Yields of Sn isotopes have been measured in the target temperature range of (1900–2100) °C. The yields of some Pd, In and Cd isotopes were measured as well to compare to previously measured ones from a high density uranium carbide target having a ceramic-like structure. For the first time a nickel isotope was obtained from a high density UC target.