Fabrication of ¹⁰⁸Cd target for the astrophysical p-process studies

Abstract The detailed procedure for preparing enriched 108 Cd targets (66.3% enrichment) on Mylar and Cu backings using the vacuum evaporation technique is outlined. Given the low melting point and high vapour pressure of Cd, modifications were made to the Telemark multipocket e - -beam setup. The target thickness was determined by measuring α -particle energy loss from a triple α -source. Multiple 108 Cd targets, with thicknesses ranging from 244 ± 22 μg/cm 2 to 659 ± 55 μg/cm 2 , were prepared. The non-uniformity of these targets was measured and found to be approximately 10%. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyses were performed to detect impurities and evaluate surface morphology, phase, and chemical composition. These targets were subsequently used in experiments to measure the proton capture cross-section at energies well below the Coulomb barrier, contributing to astrophysical p-process studies.