Activation cross-sections of longer-lived radioisotopes of deuteron induced nuclear reactions on terbium up to 50 MeV

•Experimental excitation function of deuteron induced reactions on natural Tb.•Model code calculations with EMPIRE-D, ALICE-D and TALYS (TENDL-2011 and 2012).•Physical yield calculation.•Discussion of medical and industrial applications.•Comparison of production routes for 159Dy and 157Dy.

Experimental cross-sections are presented for the first time for the 159Tb(d,xn)155,157,159Dy, 155,156,160Tb and 153Gd nuclear reactions up to 50 MeV. The experimental data are compared with theoretical predictions of the ALICE-D, EMPIRE-D and TALYS nuclear reaction codes. Integral thick-target yields are also derived for the reaction products that have practical applications.