Development of a polarized target for nuclear fusion experiments

A polarized deuterium target was developed for the use of the first measurement of the so-called complete spin dependent cross-sections of the D→(d→,p)T nuclear reaction at 20 MeV. In order to minimize the energy losses of incident and emitted particles in the target materials, the target thickness should be as thin as possible. A deuterated polyethylene foil of 30–50 μm thickness was used as polarized target. The deuterons contained in the foil are polarized by the dynamic nuclear polarization method in the magnetic field of 2.5 T. The polarized deuterium target system has been installed in the 1st experimental hall of the Tandem Accelerator Center at the University of Tsukuba. From the target asymmetry measurement of D→(d,d)D elastic scattering by a 20 MeV deuteron beam about 10% deuteron target polarization was confirmed.