Experimental measurements and nuclear model calculations on the excitation functions ofnatCe(3He,xn) and141Pr(p,xn) reactions with special reference to production of the therapeutic radionuclide140Nd

Summary For production of the therapy related Auger electron emitting neutron deficient nuclide 140 Nd ( T 1/2 = 3.37 d) two routes were investigated: the nuclear reaction nat Ce( 3 He, xn ) 140 Nd over the energy range from 15 to 36 MeV and the reaction 141 Pr( p , 2 n ) 140 Nd from 10 to 45 MeV. Some competing reactions leading to other Nd isotopes, namely 139 Nd and 141 Nd, as well as to 139 Ce 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 140 Nd 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 140 Nd-producing reactions is presented.