Measurements and nuclear model calculations on proton-induced reactions on 103Rh up to 40 MeV: evaluation of the excitation function of the 103Rh(p,n)103Pd reaction relevant to the production of the therapeutic radionuclide 103Pd

Excitation functions were measured by the stacked-foil technique for the reactions 103Rh(p,n)103Pd, 103Rh(p,3n)101Pd and 103Rh(p,4n)100Pd from their respective thresholds up to 39.6 MeV. The radioactivity of the activation products was determined by high-resolution X-ray and γ-ray spectrometry. Statistical model calculations taking into account the precompound effects were performed for all reactions, and good agreement was found with our data. A critical evaluation of the existing and present data for the 103Rh(p,n)103Pd reaction was carried out. Recommended cross sections and integral yields for this reaction of key importance in the production of the widely used therapeutic radionuclide 103Pd are given.