Cyclotron production of 67Ga. Cross sections and thick-target yields for the 67Zn (p,n) and 68Zn (p,2n) reactions

Abstract

Natural zinc foils were irradiated with ⩾35-MeV protons and cross sections were measured for the reactions 66Zn(p,n) 66Ga, 67Zn(p,n) 67Ga, 67Zn(p,2n) 66Ga, 68Zn(p,2n) 67Ga and 68Zn(p,3n) 66Ga. Thick-target yields as well as radiocontaminant ratios were calculated from the cross-section data. Targets were also irradiated under near production conditions and the yields were compared with calculated values. An alternative production method based upon the 67Zn(p,n) 67Ga reaction was found to provide equivalent yields to those obtained from the 68Zn(p,2n) 67Ga reaction. The possibility of using double targets is also discussed.