Experimental measurements and nuclear model calculations on the excitation functions of ^natCe(³He, xn) and ¹⁴¹Pr(p, xn) reactions with special reference to production of the therapeutic radionuclide ¹⁴⁰Nd

Summary

For production of the therapy related Auger electron emitting neutron deficient nuclide ¹⁴⁰Nd (T_1/2 = 3.37 d) two routes were investigated: the nuclear reaction ^natCe(³He, xn) ¹⁴⁰Nd over the energy range from 15 to 36 MeV and the reaction ¹⁴¹Pr(p, 2n) ¹⁴⁰Nd from 10 to 45 MeV. Some competing reactions leading to other Nd isotopes, namely ¹³⁹Nd and ¹⁴¹Nd, as well as to ¹³⁹Ce were also investigated. Thin samples of cerium(IV)-oxide and praseodymium(III)-oxide were obtained by sedimentation and the conventional stacked-foil technique was used for cross section measurements. All the experimental data obtained in this work were compared with the results of theoretical calculations using the exciton model code ALICE-IPPE as well as with literature experimental data, if available. In general, good agreement between experimental and theoretical results was found. The theoretical thick target yields of all the product nuclides were calculated from the measured excitation functions. The theoretical thick target yield of ¹⁴⁰Nd over the energy range E_3He = 35 → 20 MeV amounts to 12 MBq/μA·h and over the energy range E_p = 30 → 15 MeV to 210 MBq/μA·h. A comparison of the two ¹⁴⁰Nd-producing reactions is presented.