Alpha induced reactions on natCd up to 38.5 MeV: Experimental and theoretical studies of the excitation functions

The energy dependence of the cross sections of threshold reactions induced by alpha particles on targets of natural cadmium is studied in the energy range from threshold up to 38 MeV. Using a stacked foil irradiation technique and classical gamma-spectroscopy the formation of the radioisotopes 110,113m+g,117mSn, 108m,g,109g,110m,g,111cum,113m,114m,115m,116m,117m,gIn and 111m,115gCd was assessed. The newly obtained excitation functions were compared with earlier published values, measured either on enriched or natural Cd targets. The results of calculations based on theoretical models of nuclear reactions obtained by the codes ALICE–IPPE, EMPIRE and GNASH are presented. Thick target yields and production routes for some medically relevant radioisotopes are discussed.