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The heaviest elements can exclusively be produced in actinide-target based nuclear fusion reactions with intense heavy-ion beams. Ever more powerful accelerators deliver beams of continuously increasing intensity, which brings targets of current technology to their limits and beyond. We motivate efforts to produce targets with improved properties, which calls for a better understanding of targets produced by molecular plating, the current standard method. Complementary analytical methods will help shedding more light on their chemical and physical changes in the beam. Special emphasis is devoted to the aspect of the optimum target thickness and the choice of the backing material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The heaviest elements are synthesized in heavy-ion induced hot fusion reactions with various actinide targets. Because the actinide material is often available only in very limited amounts, a deposition method with high yields (~90 %) is needed. We report on the production of Pu, Am, Cm, Bk, and Cf targets on thin Ti backings by molecular plating. Different chemical purification steps using ion chromatographic techniques were applied for the purification of Cf and Pu. The deposition procedure applied for the production of ~0.4-0.8 mg/cm thick targets is described. The deposition yield was determined either by α-particle or γ-ray spectroscopy. Furthermore, neutron activation analysis has been applied in the case of Pu, Am, and Cm. Information about the spatial distribution and homogeneity of the target layer was obtained by radiographic imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the development of new materials for laser-ion acceleration applicable for the advanced mechanism of radiation-pressure-acceleration. These targets are ultra-thin with thicknesses of just a few nm. For several years, diamond-like carbon foils in this thickness range can be produced. An alternative material containing more than one ion-species has the potential to further improve the acceleration mechanism. The fabrication and characterization of self-supporting polymer-based targets will be described in this paper. Furthermore, we show the significant influence on a radiation-pressure induced acceleration process by experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]