Activation cross section data of proton induced nuclear reactions on lanthanum in the 34-65 MeV energy range and application for production of medical radionuclides

TL;DR

This study measures activation cross sections of proton-induced reactions on lanthanum in the 34-65 MeV range, providing new experimental data and comparing it with theoretical models, with implications for medical radionuclide production.

Contribution

First experimental measurement of several lanthanum activation cross sections in the 34-65 MeV range, and comparison with theoretical TENDL libraries.

Findings

Experimental cross sections obtained for multiple reactions.

Comparison shows agreement and discrepancies with TENDL predictions.

Results support medical radionuclide production applications.

Abstract

Activation cross sections of the natLa(p,x)139,137m,137g,135,134,133mCe, natLa(p,x)135,134,133La and 133m,133g,131Ba nuclear reactions have been measured experimentally, for the first time (except 139Ce). Cross-sections in the 34-64 MeV energy range were obtained through an activation method combining the stacked foil irradiation technique and gamma-ray spectrometry. The experimental cross sections were compared with the theoretical prediction in the TENDL-2014 and TENDL-2015, TALYS based libraries. Applications in the field of medical radionuclides production is discussed.