Measurement of fission neutron spectrum averaged cross sections of some threshold reactions on europium: small scale production of no-carrier-added¹⁵³Sm in a nuclear reactor

Abstract

Employing the activation technique in combination with radiochemical separations and high-resolution γ -ray spectroscopy fission neutron spectrum averaged cross sections were measured for several (n, 2n), (n, p) and (n, α) reactions on isotopes of europium. Our measurements constitute the first systematic studies. Of special interest was the investigation of 153 Eu(n, p) 153 Sm reaction for the production of no-carrieradded 153 Sm in a nuclear reactor. Using 100% enriched 153 Eu target, 97.21 MBq 153 Sm per batch can be produced which is, however, not sufficient for medical application.

Development of radiochemistry in Pakistan – 1960 to 2010

“…It is generally produced via the 152 Sm(n, γ )-reaction but the specific activity is low. To test the possibility of increase of specific activity the reaction 153 Eu(n, p) 153 Sm was studied [29]. The radionuclide 153 Gd (T 1/2 = 239.47 d) is also a potentially useful agent for early diagnosis of osteoporosis.…”

Fission spectrum averaged cross section measurements of some neutron threshold reactions of relevance to medical radionuclide production

“…Radiochemical procedures for the separation of radioactive products from the irradiated target materials were developed and described elsewhere [14,19,30,36]. The radiochemical separation of 45 Ti from the matrix activity (containing radioscandium and radiocalcium) was carried out.…”

“…28,29]. However, production of no-carrier-added 153 Sm by fast neutron induced reaction on europium has been reported only by our group [30]. Such a study involved the measurement of the reaction cross section for the nuclear process 153 Eu(n, p) 153 Sm.…”