Nuclear model analysis of excitation functions of proton and deuteron induced reactions on (64)Zn and (3)He- and α-particle induced reactions on (59)Co leading to the formation of copper-61: Comparison of major production routes.

Cross section data for formation of the medically important radionuclide (61)Cu (T½=3.33h) in proton and deuteron induced reactions on enriched (64)Zn and in (3)He- and α-particle induced reactions on (59)Co were analyzed by using the nuclear model calculational codes, EMPIRE and TALYS. A well-defined statistical procedure was then employed to derive the recommended excitation functions, and therefrom to obtain integral yields. A comparison of major production routes of (61)Cu was done.

Measurement of residual 60Co activity induced by atomic-bomb neutrons in Nagasaki and background contribution by environmental neutrons.

Residual 60Co activity in five steel samples induced by neutrons from the Nagasaki atomic bomb has been measured within about 1000 m from the hypocenter. The chemical separation of cobalt and nickel from steel samples was performed, and cobalt-enriched samples were prepared for all samples. Gamma-ray measurements were carried out with a low-background well-type germanium detector. The gamma-ray spectra for five samples were compared with the spectrum of a control sample to ensure that the observed 60Co was actually induced by A-bomb neutrons. The activation of cobalt by environmental neutrons was also investigated. It has been shown that the present 60Co data are consistent with earlier Hashizume's data.