Photonuclear reactions on erbium isotopes
Phys. Rev. C 113, 034611 – Published 17 March, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/3ymx-zmv5
Abstract
Experimental and theoretical studies of photonuclear reactions on a natural mixture of erbium isotopes were performed. The cross sections per equivalent photon and the yields of photonuclear reactions were measured using bremsstrahlung γ radiation with an end-point energy of 55 MeV. The cross sections for photoproton reactions on a natural mixture of erbium isotopes were obtained for the first time. The experimental results are compared with calculations based on the combined model of photonucleon reactions and simulations using the TALYS 2.0 code with different photon strength functions. Theoretical calculations within the combined model of photonucleon reactions included contributions from various mechanisms of -ray interaction with the nucleus: the giant dipole resonance accounting for its isospin splitting and overtone, the isovector quadrupole resonance, and the quasideuteron mechanism of photoabsorption. Additionally, the radiochemical yields of reactions on a natural mixture of erbium isotopes, leading to the formation of the target medical isotope and by-product nuclides, were determined.
