Residual nuclide formation in 206,207,208,nat-Pb and 209-Bi induced by 0.04-2.6 GeV Protons as well as in 56-Fe induced by 0.3-2.6 GeV Protons

TL;DR

This study measured residual nuclide production in lead and bismuth targets induced by protons across a wide energy range, and compared results with various theoretical models, highlighting the need for further code improvements.

Contribution

First comprehensive dataset of residual nuclide yields in Pb and Bi induced by protons from 0.04 to 2.6 GeV, with systematic comparison to multiple simulation codes.

Findings

Predictive power varies among tested codes.

None of the models accurately describe all product yields.

Codes require further refinement for better accuracy.

Abstract

5972 independent and cumulative yields of radioactive residuals nuclei have been measured in 55 thin 206,207,208,nat-Pb and 209-Bi targets irradiated by 0.04, 0.07, 0.10, 0.15, 0.25, 0.6, 0.8, 1.2, 1.4, 1.6, and 2.6 GeV protons. Besides, 219 yields have been measured in 0.3, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.6 GeV proton-irradiated 56-Fe target. The protons were extracted from the ITEP U-10 synchrotron. The measured data are compared with experimental results obtained elsewhere and with theoretical calculations by LAHET, MCNPX, CEM03, LAQGSM03, CASCADE, CASCADO, and LAHETO codes. The predictive power was found to be different for each of the codes tested, but was satisfactory on the whole in the case of spallation products. At the same time, none of the codes can de-scribe well the product yields throughout the whole product mass range, and all codes must be further improved.