EXCITATION-FUNCTIONS OF (D,N) AND (D,ALPHA) REACTIONS ON FE-54 - RELEVANCE TO THE PRODUCTION OF HIGH-PURITY CO-55 AT A SMALL CYCLOTRON

Excitation functions of Fe-54(d,n)Co-55 and Fe-54(d,alpha)Mn-52g react ions were determined from their respective thresholds up to 13 MeV via the stacked-foil technique using natural as well as 99.85% enriched F e-54 as target material. Thin samples were pre pared by electrolytic d eposition of Fe-nat or Fe-54 on a Au-backing. From the measured cross sections the integral yields of Co-55 and Mn-52g were deduced. Due to its very low yield, the Fe-54(d, alpha)Mn-52g process is not suitable for production of Mn-52g. The optimum energy range for the production of Co-55 via the Fe-54(d, n)-process was found to be E(d) = 10 --> 5 M eV, the Co-55 yield amounting to 32 MBq (0.86 mCi)/mu Ah and the level of Co-56,Co-57 impurities to <0.1%. The Fe-54(d,n)Co-55 process on hi ghly enriched Fe-54 is thus ideally suited for the production of high- purity Co-55 at a small cyclotron.