Calibration of heavy-element nuclear targets by Rutherford backscattering of alpha-particles

A simple and fast method for the determination of the thickness and the local thickness distribution of heavy element targets, based on the backscattering of α-particles from a 210Po source, is described. Examples for its applications to radioactive and stable isotope targets are given. Compared to α-activity counting, the time required for the characterization of radioactive targets of long-lived isotopes like 232Th and 238U is considerably reduced.