Cross sections of the 36Ar(d,α)34mCl, 40Ar(d,α)38Cl, and 40Ar(d,p)41Ar nuclear reactions below 8.4 MeV

We have measured the cross section for production of the medically interesting isotope 34mCl, along with 38Cl and 41Ar, using deuteron bombardments of 36Ar and 40Ar below 8.4 MeV. ALICE/ASH analytical codes were employed to determine the shape of nuclear excitation functions, and experiments were performed using the University of Wisconsin tandem electrostatic accelerator to irradiate thin targets of argon gas.

► ALICE-ASH computed cross sections for 36Ar(d,αα)34mCl, 40Ar(d,αα)38Cl, and 40Ar(d,p)41Ar.
► Measured cross sections for 36Ar(d,αα)34mCl, 40Ar(d,αα)38Cl, and 40Ar(d,p)41Ar.
► Deuteron irradiations <9 MeV are optimal for 34mCl production for PET.