Graphite target for the SPIRAL project

We present here a study of the thermal and physical properties of graphite targets for the SPIRAL project. The main objective was to develop an optimized set-up both mechanically and thermally resistant, presenting good release properties (hot targets with thin slices). We show here the results of irradiation tests concerning the mechanical and thermal resistance of the first prototype of SPIRAL target with conical geometry. We also study the micro-structural properties of the graphite target in order to check that the release properties are not deteriorated by the irradiation. Finally, we present the results concerning the latest pilot target internally heated by an electrical current. This setup has been especially designed to be used in case of low power primary beams.