Delays in thick targets Original Research Article

The delays in the emission of radioactive particles from a thick target bombarded by high-energy protons is discussed in relation to the basic physical processes of diffusion and effusion through the target and ioniser. The delay time, relative to the decay time, is crucial to the efficiency of particle release at the exit of the ioniser. The principles of minimizing the delay times are discussed with reference to a mathematical model of the process, and some experimental examples are given.