Manufacture, characterization and proton irradiation effects of 12C and 13C thick targets

Abstract

Abstract: Alternative sources of neutron production other than nuclear fission reactions are important priorities in medical and nuclear applications due to costs, safety and ease of operation. In this work, 12C and 13C thick targets for neutron production through 12C(d,n) 13N and 13C(d,n) 14N , respectively, have been manufactured and characterized by different techniques. In order to evaluate the irradiation effects on these materials, the targets were irradiated with 150 keV proton beam. A complete characterization of these samples was performed using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The results of these studies allowed us to establish that even though the irradiated samples present microstructural and chemical structure changes on its surface, the 12C and 13C thick targets were stable and would maintain their performance after proton irradiation at a fluence of 2.0×1018ions/cm2 and 3.7×1018ions/cm2, respectively. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]