Measurements of excitation functions of α-particle induced reactions on natNi: possibility of production of the medical isotopes 61Cu and 67Cu
AbstractExcitation functions of thenatNi(α,x)60,61Cu and64Ni(α,p)67Cu reactions were measured using the stacked-foil activation technique. The experimental data achieved were compared with literature data as well as with nuclear model calculations performed using the code TALYS-1.8. Integral yields from the respective thresholds to 44 MeV were deduced from the measured excitation curves. The >99% pure61Cu can be produced using the energy window of Eα=20→7 MeV, the yield amounting to 116 MBq/μAh. After a 2 h cooling time, the short-lived60Cu (T1/2=23 min) impurity will be reduced to <0.1%. Due to low isotopic abundance of64Ni, the enriched64Ni target would be needed for the production of67Cu via the (α,p) reaction. The cost would, however, be very high. In a few cases, particularly above 24 MeV, we have given new data points. In general, our measurements have strengthened the database.