Excitation functions of proton-induced reactions on natFe and enriched 57Fe with particular reference to the production of 57Co.

Excitation functions of the reactions (nat)Fe(p,xn)(55,56,57,58)Co, (nat)Fe(p,x)(51)Cr, (nat)Fe(p,x)(54)Mn, (57)Fe(p,n)(57)Co and (57)Fe(p,alpha)(54)Mn were measured from their respective thresholds up to 18.5MeV, with particular emphasis on data for the production of the radionuclide (57)Co (T(1/2)=271.8d). The conventional stacked-foil technique was used, and the samples for irradiation were prepared by an electroplating or sedimentation process. The measured excitation curves were compared with the data available in the literature as well as with results of nuclear model calculations. From the experimental data, the theoretical yields of the investigated radionuclides were calculated as a function of the proton energy. Over the energy range E(p)=15-->5MeV the calculated yield of (57)Co from the (57)Fe(p,n)(57)Co process amounts to 1.2MBq/microAh and from the (nat)Fe(p,xn)(57)Co reaction to 0.025MBq/microAh. The radionuclidic impurity levels are discussed. Use of highly enriched (57)Fe as target material would lead to formation of high-purity (57)Co.