Cross sections of deuteron induced reactions on 45Sc up to 50 MeV: Experiments and comparison with theoretical codes

Although Sc is not often used as alloying element in structural materials around charged particle accelerators, activation characteristics for possible production of longer lived Sc radioisotopes, used in biomedical applications and as tracers are needed. Cross sections for production of 46,44m,44g,43Sc and 45,44Ti were measured between the reaction thresholds and 50 MeV. A stacked foil irradiation followed by high resolution gamma spectroscopy was used. Reduced uncertainty was obtained by simultaneous remeasurement of the Al(d,x)24Na or natNi(d,x)61Cu monitor reaction over the whole energy range. A comparison with scarce experimental literature values and results of updated theoretical codes (ALICE-D, EMPIRE-D and the TENDL2010 online library) is discussed. Thick target yields for the medically relevant isotopes 46,44mSc are presented and a discussion of production routes of the very long lived 44Ti (T1/2 = 60 y)(44gSc generator) is made.