Crystallographic and electrical properties of mechanically rolled gold backed niobium target

This work demonstrates an excellent and high purity target film, realized by depositing uniformly thick mechanically rolled niobium (Nb) film over gold (Au) foil using indium (In) as adhesive layer (Nb/In/Au). The materials properties of the resulting foil in three layered Nb/In/Au structure, characterized using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques demonstrate presence of pure forms of the material contents and depict crystal phases of pure Au and Nb in Au and Nb/In/Au foils, respectively. This suggests the chemical inertness of Nb film towards oxidation during mechanical rolling and evidences formation of high purity Nb layer with precise crystallinity. The current-voltage (I–V) characteristics of Nb/In/Au foil measured at room temperature through a lateral device structure configuration with silver (Ag) top contacts exhibit ohmic conduction with surface resistivity of 2.5mΩm, indicating 127.3% increment after mechanical rolling of Nb on Au foil. The fabricated gold backed niobium target has been utilized in a recent nuclear level lifetime measurement experiment through Doppler shift attenuation method. [Display omitted] •Uniformly thick mechanically rolled niobium (MRNb) target film over gold foil.•Formation of highly pure MRNb with chemical inertness towards oxidation.•Possible extensive utilization in nuclear physics experiments and in electronic circuitry.