Excitation functions of alpha-particle induced nuclear reactions on natural ytterbium

Excitation functions of the reactions ^natYb(α,xn)^{170,171,173,175,177m2}Hf, ^natYb(α,x)^{171g,172g,177g,178m}Lu and ^natYb(α,x)^169g,177gYb have been measured up to 39 MeV, among them seven (^{170,171,173,177m2}Hf, ^177g,178mLu, ^177gYb) are reported for the first time. The experimental excitation functions are compared to the theoretical calculations based on the model code ALICE-IPPE and to the only data-set found in the literature. Yields of different production routes of the therapeutically relevant ¹⁷⁷Lu are compared.     

Experimental study of the excitation functions of deuteron induced reactions on Sn up to 40 MeV

Using the stacked-foil activation technique, cross-sections of deuteron induced reactions on natural Sn were measured up to 40 MeV. Excitation functions are reported for the product nuclides ¹¹¹In, ¹¹³Sn, ^117mSn, ^125mSn, ^125gSn, ¹¹⁵Sb, ^116mSb, ¹¹⁷Sb, ^118mSb ^120mSb, ¹²²Sb, ¹²⁴Sb and ¹²⁵Sb and compared with the earlier published data sets. For all excitation functions comparisons with theoretical calculations using the ALICE-IPPE, EMPIRE, EAF and the TALYS codes were performed.     

Evaluated activation cross sections of longer-lived radionuclides produced by deuteron induced reactions on natural titanium

Selected charged particle induced reactions are used to monitor the actual parameters of bombarding particle beams. One of these reactions is ^natTi(d, x)⁴⁸V for which recommended cross section data are available in one of the databases of the International Atomic Energy Agency (http://www-nds.iaea.or.at/medical/). This database contains all together 22 monitor reactions for practical applications covering energy up to 100 MeV depending on the reactions. In the case of the ^natTi(d, x)⁴⁸V reaction recommended data are given in the 9-50 MeV energy interval because at the time of creation not precise enough experimental data were available to recommend values from threshold up to 9 MeV. In this work we measured the excitation function in this relevant low energy range, collected new experimental data and suggest high confidence recommended values for the missing low energy part of the monitor excitation function.     

Alpha induced reactions on Sn: An experimental study of excitation functions and possible production pathways

In the frame of a systematic study of light ion induced threshold reactions on natural tin (Sn) excitation functions for alpha particles induced reactions are presented in a 12–38 MeV energy domain. Using a stacked foil activation method the following radioisotopes were identified: ¹¹⁶Te, ¹¹⁷Te, ¹¹⁸Te, ¹¹⁹Te, ¹²¹Te, ¹²³Te, ¹¹⁷Sb, ¹¹⁸Sb, ¹²⁰Sb, ¹²²Sb, ¹²⁴Sb, ¹²⁶Sb, ¹¹⁷Sn, ¹¹¹In. The experimental cross sections for these isotopes are presented for the first time in this energy range and a direct comparison with values calculated with the ALICE-IPPE code is discussed. Possible use of these data for production of some isotopes relevant in nuclear medicine is suggested.     

Alpha induced reactions on Cd and Cd: An experimental study of excitation functions

Excitation functions of alpha induced reactions on enriched ¹¹⁴Cd and ¹¹⁶Cd targets, leading to the formation of the ^117m,119mSn, ^{114m₁,115m,116m,117m,g}In, ^115gCd isotopes, were studied by the stacked foil activation technique. Reaction cross-sections were measured from their respective thresholds up to E_α = 38.9 MeV. Quantification of induced isotopes has been made by gamma and X-ray spectrometry. The experimental cross-sections are compared, where available, with values reported previously in literature. Thick target yield for the medically important radionuclide ^117mSn is calculated based on discrete values of measured cross-sections.     

Evaluated activation cross sections of longer-lived radionuclides produced by deuteron induced reactions on natural iron up to 10 MeV

Charged particle induced reactions can be used to monitor in real time the wear of mechanical structures such as internal combustion engines and turbines. Charged particle induced reactions with suitable properties also can be used for monitoring the actual parameters of bombarding particle beams. One of these reactions is the ^natFe(d,x)⁵⁷Co process. The available experimental data in the literature are well established around and above the maximum of the excitation function, however only a little, scattered data are available in the threshold energy region of the reaction. In this work we measured the excitation functions of relevant processes resulting in ^55,56,57,58Co, ⁵⁹Fe and ^52,54Mn induced by deuteron beams on natural iron in the energy range from threshold up to 10 MeV. The new experimental data collected are used to determine with high confidence recommended values for the missing low energy part of the investigated excitation functions.     

A theoretical study of excitation functions of isomers and isomeric cross section ratios in alpha induced reactions on Ag

A theoretical study based on statistical and pre-equilibrium calculations of the excitation functions and relevant isomeric cross-section ratios for the ¹⁰⁷Ag (α, n) ¹¹⁰In^m,g, ¹⁰⁷Ag (α, 3n) ¹⁰⁸In^m,g, ¹⁰⁹Ag (α, 3n) ¹¹⁰In^m,g, and ¹⁰⁷Ag (α, αn)¹⁰⁶Ag^m reactions have been carried out in the 10-40 MeV alpha energy range in a consistent way. The calculated excitation functions for the isomeric states, ground states and their ratios have been compared with reported measurements and TENDL-2010 and discussed.     

Alpha induced reactions on Cd up to 38.5 MeV: Experimental and theoretical studies of the excitation functions

The energy dependence of the cross sections of threshold reactions induced by alpha particles on targets of natural cadmium is studied in the energy range from threshold up to 38 MeV. Using a stacked foil irradiation technique and classical gamma-spectroscopy the formation of the radioisotopes ^{110,113m+g,117m}Sn, ^{108m,g,109g,110m,g,111cum,113m,114m,115m,116m,117m,g}In and ^111m,115gCd was assessed. The newly obtained excitation functions were compared with earlier published values, measured either on enriched or natural Cd targets. The results of calculations based on theoretical models of nuclear reactions obtained by the codes ALICE-IPPE, EMPIRE and GNASH are presented. Thick target yields and production routes for some medically relevant radioisotopes are discussed.     

New measurement and evaluation of the excitation function of Ni(p,n) reaction for the production of Cu

One of the radioisotopes for which a growing interest exists in nuclear medicine is ⁶⁴Cu. Its branched decay makes it suitable for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Activation cross sections of the proton induced reaction on enriched ⁶⁴Ni have been studied using the stacked foil technique up to 24 MeV. The experimental cross sections are compared with values available from literature. Thick target yields, based on the discrete measured values of the cross sections are calculated and allow a better estimation of the optimum production parameters.     

Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear reactions used in reactors or cyclotrons,in addition to a theoretical study based on photodisintegration on natural indium for 111Ag production

Production routes were recorded on available reactions for ¹¹¹Ag production from nuclear reactors or cyclotrons using a natural palladium target based on ¹¹⁰Pd（n, γ） and ¹¹⁰pd（d, n） reactions, respectively.^natCd（γ,x） based on ¹¹⁰Cd（γ, p） has also been studied as a prospective reaction for the production of ¹¹¹Ag. Unfortunately, these nuclear reactions are difficult to utilize because, in some cases, they reduce the specific activi...     

Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear reactions used in reactors or cyclotrons,in addition to a theoretical study based on photodisintegration on natural indium for 111Ag production

Production routes were recorded on available reactions for ¹¹¹Ag production from nuclear reactors or cyclotrons using a natural palladium target based on ¹¹⁰Pd（n, γ） and ¹¹⁰pd（d, n） reactions, respectively.^natCd（γ,x） based on ¹¹⁰Cd（γ, p） has also been studied as a prospective reaction for the production of ¹¹¹Ag. Unfortunately, these nuclear reactions are difficult to utilize because, in some cases, they reduce the specific activi...     

Excitation functions for some W, Ta and Hf radionuclides obtained by deuteron irradiation of Ta up to 40 MeV

Experimental excitation functions for deuteron induced reactions up to 40 MeV on mono-isotopic Ta (¹⁸¹Ta) were measured with the activation method using a stacked foil irradiation technique. From high resolution gamma spectrometry and X-ray analysis cross-section data for the production of ¹⁸¹W, ^{177,178g,180g,182m+g}Ta, and ^179m2,180mHf were determined. Comparison with the scarce earlier published data are presented and results for values predicted by different theoretical codes, adapted for more reliable calculations for d-induced reactions, are included. Thick target yields for ^{182m+g,180g,178g}Ta and ¹⁸¹W were calculated from a fit to our experimental excitation curves. Using dose conversion factors and irradiation scenarios, possible occupational doses to maintenance or scientific personnel around high power accelerators where Ta based structural elements (collimators, beam stoppers, shielding) are present could be derived.     

Differential cross-sections for nuclear reactions on Al and Si induced by deuterons at low energy (1-2 MeV)

Recent progress in thin film techniques has made possible the fabrication of stable and pollution-free reference standards. Thin Si₃N₄ film (thickness 70 nm) and thin Al foil (150 nm) were selected to measure the differential cross-sections of nuclear reactions induced by deuterons, from 1 to 2 MeV. The absence of oxygen and carbon in the standard, as well as the stoichiometry, were checked prior to measurement by RBS. The differential cross-sections of the ²⁷Al(d,p₀p₁)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,p₂p₃)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,p₅p₆)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,p₉)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,p₁₀)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,p₁₁)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,p₁₂)²⁸Al, ²⁷Al(d,α₀)²⁵Mg and ²⁷Al(d,α₂)²⁵Mg reactions for aluminium and ²⁸Si(d,p₀)²⁹Si- ²⁹Si(d,p₁)³⁰Si, ²⁸Si(d,p₁)²⁹Si- ²⁹Si(d,p₂)³⁰Si, ²⁸Si(d,p₂)²⁹Si, ²⁸Si(d,p₃)²⁹Si, ²⁸Si(d,p₉p₁₀)²⁹Si reactions for silicon were determined for a detector angle of 150°.     

Cross sections for the production of helium, neon and argon isotopes by proton-induced reactions on iron and nickel

We measured integral thin target cross sections for the proton-induced production of ³He, ⁴He, ²¹Ne, ²²Ne, ³⁶Ar and ³⁸Ar from Fe and Ni from the respective reaction thresholds up to 1.6 GeV. The production of noble gas isotopes, especially ⁴He, from Fe and Ni is of special importance for design studies of accelerator driven systems and/or energy amplifier, because Fe is the main structural material in almost every design study. Furthermore, the cross sections are needed to establish the first physical model calculations for the production of cosmogenic nuclides in iron meteorites. As a result of our new measurements there now exist for both target elements a complete and consistent database for the production of noble gas isotopes. The experimental data are compared to results from the theoretical nuclear model codes INCL4/ABLA and TALYS. This comparison clearly demonstrates again that experimental data are still needed because the predictive power of nuclear model codes, though permanently improving, does still not allow reliably predicting the cross sections needed for most applications and irradiation experiments remain indispensable.     

Study of the excitation functions for K, Sc and Ti by proton irradiation on Sc up to 37 MeV

The excitation functions of proton induced reactions on Sc targets (100% ⁴⁵Sc), leading to the formation isotopes ⁴³K, ⁴³Sc, ^44mSc, ^44gSc and ⁴⁴Ti were studied by the stacked foil activation technique up to 37 MeV. High-resolution gamma-spectrometry measurements were performed on an HPGe detector in order to determine the activity of the irradiated Sc₂O₃ pellets and Ti monitor foils. The reaction cross-sections were measured from their respective thresholds up to E_p = 36.4 MeV and were compared with previous values reported in literature. Possible batch yields and optimal irradiation parameters for generator ⁴⁴Ti -^44gSc in high current accelerators are discussed.     

Experimental study of the Ho(d, 2n) and Ho(d, p) nuclear reactions up to 20 MeV for production of the therapeutic radioisotopes Er and Ho

The radioisotope ¹⁶⁵Er (T_1/2 = 10.36 h) is a candidate for Auger-electron therapy. The β⁻-emitting ^166gHo (T_1/2 = 26.83 h) is now being explored for various therapeutic applications. In the frame of our systematic study of charged particle production routes of therapeutic radionuclides the excitation functions of the ¹⁶⁵Ho(d, 2n)¹⁶⁵Er and ¹⁶⁵Ho(d, p)^166gHo reactions were measured up to 20 MeV by using a stacked foil irradiation technique and X/γ-ray spectroscopy. The excitation function of the ¹⁶⁵Ho(d, 2n)¹⁶⁵Er reaction was measured for the first time while for the ¹⁶⁵Ho(d, p)^166gHo reaction only a single dataset of earlier measured cross-sections was found. The measured excitation functions were compared to the results of different nuclear reaction model codes. The calculated thick target yield of the ¹⁶⁵Ho(d, 2n) reaction is significantly higher over the optimal energy range than that for the ¹⁶⁵Ho(p, n) reaction investigated earlier by us. The integral yield of the ¹⁶⁵Ho(d, p)^166gHo reaction is rather low compared to the established ¹⁶⁵Ho(n, γ)¹⁶⁶Ho reaction in a nuclear reactor.     

Attenuation of ambient dose equivalent from neutrons by thick concrete, cast iron and composite shields for high energy proton, He, Ca and U ions on Cu targets for shielding design

Data on neutron dose attenuation by thick concrete, cast iron, and cast iron plus concrete composite shields for heavy ions and protons having high energies (200-1000 MeV/u) are necessary for shielding designs of high-powered heavy ion accelerator facilities. Neutron production source terms, shield material attenuation lengths, and neutron dose rate reduction effectiveness of the bulk shielding in the angular range from 0° to 125° were determined by the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport Code (PHITS) for beams of 300 and 550 MeV/u ⁴⁸Ca ions, 200 and 400 MeV/u ²³⁸U ions, 800 MeV/u ³He and 1 GeV protons. Calculated results of interaction lengths of concrete and cast iron were also compared with similar work performed by Agosteo et al., and to experimental and other calculated data on interaction lengths. The agreement can be regarded as acceptable.