Excitation function measurements of 40Ar(p,3n)38K, 40Ar(p,2pn)38Cl and 40Ar(p,2p)39Cl reactions

For the production of 38K, excitation functions of the 40Ar(p,3n)38K reaction and its accompanying reactions 40Ar(p,2pn)38Cl, and 40Ar(p,2p)39Cl were measured at the proton energy of 20.5–39.5 MeV to determine the optimum conditions of irradiation. Target cells containing argon gas were prepared using specially developed tools in an argon-replaced glove box. In the 40Ar(p,3n)38K, 40Ar(p,2pn)38Cl, and 40Ar(p,2p)39Cl reactions, the maximum cross sections were 6.7±0.7, 34±3.3 and 11±1.2mbarn at 37.6, 39.5 and 32.0 MeV, respectively, and the saturation thick target yields were calculated to be 560, 2200, and 1300* MBq/μA, respectively, at an incident energy of 39.5 MeV (* integral yield above 21 MeV).