Measurement of activation cross sections of alpha particle induced reactions on iridium up to an energy of 50 MeV.

Cross sections of alpha particle induced nuclear reactions on iridium were investigated using a 51.2-MeV alpha particle beam. The standard stacked-foil target technique and the activation method were applied. The activity of the reaction products was assessed without chemical separation using high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. Excitation functions for production of gold, platinum and iridium isotopes (Au, Au, Au, Au, Au, Au, Au, Pt, Pt, Ir, Ir, Ir, Ir and Ir) were determined and compared with available earlier measured experimental data and results of theoretical calculations using TALYS code system. Cross section data were reported for the first time for the Ir(α,x)Au, Ir(α,x)Au, Ir(α,x)Pt, Ir(α,x)Pt, Ir(α,x)Ir, Ir(α,x)Ir, Ir(α,x)Ir and Ir(α,x)Ir processes. A possible production route for Pt, the potentially important radionuclide in nuclear medicine, is discussed.