Excitation functions of the proton induced nuclear reactions on natZn up to 40 MeV

We measured the excitation functions of the natZn(p,xn)66,67Ga, natZn(p,pxn)62,65,69mZn, and natZn(p,αxn)61Cu nuclear processes up to 40 MeV by using a stacked-foil activation technique at the MC50 cyclotron of the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences. The results were compared with the earlier reported experimental data and theoretical calculations based on the ALICE-IPPE code. We have given new data points for the formation of the above radionuclides. The present values are in good agreement with some well-measured literature values. Integral yields were also deduced from the measured cross-sections. The reported direct measured thick target yields for the formation of the 66Ga and 67Ga radionuclides at 22 MeV support our deduced yields. The optimum formation of the 66Ga and 61Cu radionuclides with minimum impurities can be obtained at 8–15 MeV and 10–20 MeV energy range, respectively. The yields and decay characteristics of the nuclide 65Zn are suitable for thin layer activation analysis.