Excitation functions for the formation of 55,57,58m+g Co with deuteron induced reactions on natural iron

Excitation functions of the reactions nat Fe(d,x) 55,57,58m+g Co were measured for deuteron energies of 15–35 MeV using the stacked-foil activation technique. The measured cross sections were compared with the available experimental data as well as with model calculations. The model calculations, using the TALYS-2.0 code, reproduced our measured data after a careful selection of a few input parameters. In this work, we report the cross section data with higher precision and extend them above 22 MeV. The thick target yield of 55 Co estimated from the measured excitation function amounted to 45 MBq/μAh for the energy window of E d = 40 → 25 MeV. Using this energy window, 96 % pure 55 Co could be obtained using natural iron target.