Our efforts are centered on the fabrication of deuterium-rich organic polymer targets. We are able to make films of deuterated polyethylene films with thicknesses varying from approximately 0.7-1.5 mils. Varying amounts of deuterated polyethylene (DPE) powder are dissolved in hot xylene and the heated solutions are poured onto soaped microscope slides. Once the slides have cooled and the xylene evaporated, the DPE films can be removed from the slides by floating them off in a dish of water. The films can then be adhered to target mounts.

We are also investigating the synthesis of deuterated polyphenyl (DPP) powder that can be used to fabricate targets. The polymer is synthesized using a modified literature preparation from deuterated benzene under oxidative acid-catalyzed conditions employing aluminum chloride and copper(II) chloride.