Cross section measurements for proton-induced reactions in Fe and Ni producing relatively short-lived radionuclides at Ep = 140–500 MeV

Abstract

Cross sections for proton-induced reactions in Fe and Ni targets that produce relatively short-lived radionuclides were measured at several proton energies between 140 and 500MeV. There are few reported measured cross sections for these reactions in this energy range and these new measurements ‘help fill in the gap’ between the many measurements at lower proton energies and the few measurements at higher energies. Thin target techniques were used in these measurements made at two accelerator facilities. Most of these radionuclides are produced in cosmic ray interactions with extraterrestrial materials and have been measured in meteorites and lunar rocks. Cross sections for proton-induced reactions are essential input to the theoretical models used to interpret these cosmogenic nuclide archives to learn more about the object itself or the history of the cosmic rays that fell upon it. These new cross section measurements will improve the database used as input in these analyses.