Proton-induced Polonium Production in Lead

An appropriate experimental approach is described from which information can be obtained on the amounts of radiotoxic polonium isotopes 208-210Po produced in a lead spallation target during an irradiation period of 16 months from 2000 to 2001. Lead samples from a central position near the beam entry were dissolved and spontaneous deposition of polonium on silver discs was used to prepare thin layer samples for α-counting. The evaluated results show a good correlation to the gradient of the proton beam profile.