A simple method to prepare deuterated targets for experiments relevant to nuclear astrophysics

In this article, a simple and efficient deuterated polyethylene target preparation method is described. The method of convenient removal of the targets from a casting surface without any cryogenic freezing has been adopted. The difference in thermal expansion properties of the target material and casting surface (glass) is utilized. The target thickness was determined from 3 - α energy loss in the prepared targets. The target thickness varies from 100 µg/cm² to 350 µg/cm². The thickness variation in these foils was between 4% and 10%. The material retention property of a deuterated foil has been verified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and an attenuated total reflection method.