Activation cross sections of proton induced nuclear reactions on ytterbium up to 70 MeV

Cross sections of proton induced nuclear reactions on ytterbium were measured up to 70 MeV by using the standard stacked foil irradiation technique and high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy. Experimental cross sections and derived integral yields are reported for the first time for the natYb(p,xn)173,172mg,171mg,170,167Lu, natYb(p,x)175cum,166cumYb and natYb(p,x)173ind,172ind,168,167cum,165cumTm reactions. No earlier experimental cross section data were found in the literature. The experimental data were compared to and analyzed with the results of the theoretical model code ALICE-IPPE. Production routes of medical radioisotope 167Tm are discussed.