Excitation functions of (p,x) reactions on natural nickel between proton energies of 2.7 and 27.5MeV

Ion beam activation of natCu, natTi, natNi and measurement of product formation cross sections at low energy (<10 MeV)

In this study we investigated the production cross sections of natCu(p, x)63,65Zn, natTi(p, x)48V, natNi(p, x)55Co,61Cu and natCu(α, x)66,67,68Ga, natTi(α, x)49,51Cr, natNi(α, x)63,65Zn reactions in the low energy range using the foil activation technique. The samples were activated in vacuum at 5 MV tandem (Pelletron) accelerator installed at National Centre for Physics (NCP), Islamabad, Pakistan. The reaction products were identified with the help of off-line gamma ray spectroscopy system connected with Genie 2000 software. The data analysis revealed the production of different radioisotopes that have valuable importance in monitoring charged-particle beams and medical applications. The measured results were verified by comparing them with earlier evaluated data as well as with the theoretical values given in the TENDL-library based on TALYS-1.9 code calculations.

Nuclear reaction data for medical and industrial applications: recent contributions by Egyptian cyclotron group

Measurement and evaluation of nuclear data of radioisotopes used as tracers are continuously underway in many laboratories to reach high accuracy for their use in production. We briefly mention some of the radionuclides useful for medical diagnostics and other industrial applications. The research group at the Egyptian cyclotron facility (EGCF) performed in collaboration with nuclear research centres and universities in many countries (Germany, Hungary, Finland, USA, Japan and Saudi Arabia) some measurements and evaluations of interesting nuclear reaction data. Nuclear reactions induced by p, d and α-particles on a wide variety of targets were extensively studied from threshold energy up to 50 MeV. Nuclear model code calculations, mainly using EMPIRE and TALYS, were performed for nuclear data validation. Proton and neutron activation of some industrially interesting samples were also studied as technological application of nuclear analytical techniques. Since the cyclotron facility is dedicated to development of the production routes of medical radioisotopes, this overview presents examples of optimization experiments to establish good production conditions.

Experimental investigation and theoretical evaluation of proton induced nuclear reactions on nickel

The cross-sections for proton-induced nuclear reactions on natural nickel were experimentally measured for the ^natNi(p,x)^60,61,64Cu, ^natNi(p,x)^55,57,58Co and ^natNi(p,x)⁵⁷Ni reactions from their respective thresholds up to 17 MeV proton energy. The stacked-foil technique in combination with HPGe γ-ray spectroscopy was used. Three codes were used in the theoretical calculations namely ALICE-IPPE, EMPIRE-3.2.2 and TENDL-2017. Comparison of the present results with the earlier reported experimental data and with the code results were carried out.

Production cross-sections of radionuclides from α-induced reactions on natural copper up to 50MeV

The excitation functions were measured for the (nat)Cu(α,x)(66,67)Ga,(65)Zn,(57,58,60)Co reactions in the energy range of 16.5 -50MeV. A conventional stacked-foil activation technique combined with HPGe γ-ray spectrometry was employed to determine cross-sections. The measured cross-sections were critically compared with relevant previous experimental data and also with the evaluated data in the TENDL-2014 library. Present results confirmed some of the previous experimental data, whereas only a partial agreement was found with the evaluated data. The measured data are useful for reducing the existing discrepancies in the literature, to improve the nuclear reaction model codes, and to enrich the experimental database towards various applications.

Evaluation of nuclear reaction cross sections for optimization of production of the emerging diagnostic radionuclide ⁵⁵Co

The excitation functions of the (54)Fe(d,n)(55)Co, (56)Fe(p,2n)(55)Co and (58)Ni(p,α)(55)Co reactions were analyzed with relevance to the production of the β(+)-emitter (55)Co (T½=17.53 h), a promising cobalt radionuclide for PET imaging. The nuclear model codes ALICE-IPPE, EMPIRE and TALYS were used to check the consistency of the experimental data. The statistically fitted excitation function was employed to calculate the integral yield of the product. The amounts of the radioactive impurities (56)Co and (57)Co were assessed. A comparison of the three investigated production routes is given.

Activation cross-sections of proton induced reactions on natural Ni up to 65MeV

Production cross-sections of the (nat)Ni(p,x)(60,61)Cu, (56,57)Ni, (55,56,57,58)Co nuclear reactions were measured in five experiments up to 65MeV by using a stacked foil activation technique. The results were compared with the available literature values, predictions of the nuclear reaction model codes ALICE-IPPE, TALYS-1.4, and extracted data from the TENDL-2012 library. Spline fits were made on the basis of selected data, from which physical yields were calculated and compared with the literature values. The applicability of the (nat)Ni(p,x)(57)Ni, (57)Co reactions for thin layer activation (TLA) was investigated. The production rate for (55)Co was compared for proton and deuteron induced reactions on Ni.

Activation cross-section measurements of some proton induced reactions on Ni, Co and Mo for proton activation analysis (PAA) purposes

The experimental proton induced reaction cross sections on some elements of the Havar alloy were measured using the activation method and the well established stacked-foil technique combined with high resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy. They included the reactions natNi(p,x)57Ni, natCo(p,x)58(m+g)Co and natMo(p,x)94g,95g,96(m+g)Tc, the aim being to obtain reliable data in the proton energy range up to 26 MeV for some important reactions to be used in the proton activation analysis of steel or other alloys. Irradiations were performed using the CS-30 Cyclotron at KFSH and RC, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The activity measurements were carried out in PNU laboratories, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The experimental excitation functions for the investigated reactions were constructed and compared with the performed computed theoretical nuclear model calculations using two different codes: ALICE-IPPE and TALYS. A comparison between our measured cross-section values and the available published data is also presented, with a view to checking the consistency of the reported experimental work from various laboratories.

Excitation function measurements and integral yields estimation for natZnp,x reactions at low energies

Excitation functions have been measured for a number of proton-induced nuclear reactions on natural zinc in the energy range from 27.5 MeV down to their threshold energy, using the activation method on stacked foils. Excitation functions and thick target yield for the reactions leading to the formation of (67)Ga,(66)Ga,(68)Ga,(62)Zn and (65)Zn are presented and compared with earlier reported experimental data. The experimental cross-sections and the production yields are tabulated; the excitation functions and the thick target yield curves are plotted in graphs.

55Cobalt complexes with pendant carbohydrates as potential PET imaging agents

Bis-ligand cobalt(II) complexes of four 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone ligands with pendant carbohydrates were synthesized and examined for their potential as radiopharmaceuticals. Non-radioactive complexes were prepared on the macroscopic scale and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR and UV/visible spectroscopy. Facile radiolabeling produced the 55Co complexes in high radiochemical yields (>95%). Identification of the radiolabeled compounds was accomplished by HPLC comparison with the corresponding non-radioactive complexes.