Summary
Excitation functions of the natAg(p,xn)104,105Cd and natAg(p,pxn)103,104m,g,104gAg reactions were measured for the first time over the proton energy range of 32 to about 60 MeV. The data were compared with the results of precompound-hybrid model calculations, whereby only partial agreement was obtained. The contribution of the 103Ag precursor decay to the total formation of the therapeutic radionuclide 103Pd in proton activation of silver was estimated: it amounted to about 70%. The various possible routes for the production of 103Pd were also considered: the natAg(p,x) 103Pd and 103Rh(p,n) 103Pd processes were found to be most interesting. Despite its somewhat lower yield, the latter process is preferred because it can be applied at a low-energy cyclotron.
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