High-Energy Proton Spallation of Iron

The cross sections for the production of ⁵⁷Co, ⁵⁶Co, ⁵⁵Co, ⁵⁴Mn, ⁵²Mn, ⁵¹Cr, ⁴⁸Cr, ⁴⁸V, ⁴⁸Sc, ⁴⁷Sc, ⁴⁶Sc, ⁴⁴ᵐSc, ⁴⁴Ti, ⁴³K, ⁴²K, ²⁴Na, and ²²Na, from 14.1 to 585-MeV proton spallation of iron are reported. The experimental production rates of the various radioisotopes and their ratios to ⁵⁴Mn are compared to theoretical spallation-yield calculations. These data and previously published data are combined to develop the excitation functions for these isotopes from proton spallation of natural iron. Applications of these excitation functions to beam monitoring and to the studies of meteorites and lunar surface material are discussed.