Measurement of fission neutron spectrum averaged cross sections of some threshold reactions on dysprosium: small-scale production of no-carrier-added153Gd in a nuclear reactor

Abstract

SummaryEmploying 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 dysprosium; our measurements constitute the first systematic studies. Of special interest was the investigation of the156Dy(n, α)153Gd reaction for the production of no-carrier-added153Gd in a nuclear reactor. Using 100% enriched156Dy target, 8633 KBq of153Gd per batch can be produced which is, however, not sufficient for medical application.