Neutron induced reaction cross sections for the radioactive target nucleus 99Tc Original Research Article

We present the first measured and interpreted excitation functions for three nuclear reactions on the radioactive target nucleus 99Tc over the energy range from threshold to 20.6 MeV. Excitation functions for the 99Tc(n,n′γ)99mTc, 99Tc(n,p)99Mo, and 99Tc(n,α)96Nb reactions were measured using the activation method. High-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy was used requiring special attention to suppress Bremsstrahlung. The irradiated samples consisted of pressed pellets of metallic 99Tc in Al-capsules. Quasi mono-energetic neutrons were produced via the 3H(p,n)3He, 2H(d,n)3He, and 3H(d,n)4He reactions. The neutron fluence was monitored via the well-known 115In(n,n′)115mIn, 27Al(n,α)24Na, 27Al(n,p)27Mg, 56Fe(n,p)56Mn, and 93Nb(n,2n)92mNb standard reactions. Statistical model calculations incorporating precompound effects were performed for all the measured reaction channels using two different codes, namely TALYS and STAPRE. Good agreement was obtained for the reactions in which a charged particle was emitted and for the excitation of the isomer in inelastic scattering, above 5 MeV.