Preparation of 10Be targets by high vacuum evaporation–condensation

10Be targets in the form of BeO on thin C backings were prepared by high-vacuum evaporation–condensation. Starting from a solution of Be(NO3)2 in nitric acid, solid BeO was prepared by heat treatment at 773 K, in air, which was subsequently evaporated from a Re crucible mounted in a micro-evaporation module. Typically 200–400 μg of BeO was evaporated in one run, resulting in a target spot of 3 mm diameter and 100–200 μg/cm2 thickness.