Thin- and thick-target cross sections for the production of Mn-53 and Fe-60

Integral cross sections of the nuclear reactions Fe-nat(p,x)Mn-53, Ni-nat(p ,x)Mn-53 and Ni-nat(p,x)Fe-60 up to proton energies of 2.6 GeV were measure d by means of accelerator mass spectrometry. Additionally, elemental produc tion rates from targets placed in an isotropically irradiated iron sphere w ere determined. They provide the basis to calculate the corresponding neutr on-induced cross sections. Both types of nuclear data are needed for the ca lculation of depth- and size-dependent production rates of the long-lived c osmogenic radionuclides, which gives us the possibility to discuss experime ntal abundances of Mn-53 and Fe-60 in extraterrestrial matter. (C) 2000 Els evier Science B.V. All rights reserved.