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Photoneutron reactions on 208Pb in the Giant Dipole Resonance (GDR) energy range have been investigated at the γ-ray beam line of the NewSUBARU synchrotron radiation facility in Japan. Making use of quasi-monochromatic laser Compton scattering (LCS) γ-ray beams and of a novel flat-efficiency neutron detection system along with associated neutron-multiplicity sorting method, total and partial (γ,xn) photoneutron cross sections with x = 1 to 4 have been measured for 208Pb in a broad energy range covering the neutron threshold up to 38 MeV.

The Coordinated Research Project (CRP) with the code F41032 has been launched by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2016 as a 5-year project with the scientific goal being two-fold: 1) updating the 2000 photonuclear data library and 2) constructing a reference database of photon strength functions. We report the experimental technique and methodology used for the former goal and selected giant-dipole resonance (GDR) data updated in the IAEA-CRP.

The well-known problem of noticeable disagreements between photoneutron cross sections from various experiments was discussed in detail for 209Bi. Data for partial photoneutron reactions cross sections obtained at Livermore (USA) using quasimonoenergetic annihilation photons and the method of neutron multiplicity sorting were analyzed using the objective physical criteria and the experimental-theoretical method for evaluation. Because of significant systematic uncertainties involved in the method for determining the neutron multiplicity, experimental data do not satisfy the criteria of reliability and differ noticeably from the evaluated data. The new experimental data for 209Bi (γ, in) reactions with i = 1–4 were obtained using quasimonochromatic laser Compton-scattering (LCS) γ-ray beams at the NewSUBARU synchrotron radiation facility and the novel technique of direct neutron-multiplicity sorting with a flat-efficiency detector. It was found that new σ(γ, 1n), σ (γ, 2n), and σ (γ, 3n) contradict noticeably to the Livermore data. It was shown that at the same time the new 209Bi photoneutron cross-sections are in good agreement with data evaluated using experimental-theoretical method and assuring the reliability of those.

We discuss the role of photoneutron reaction data in nuclear physics and astrophysics in conjunction with the Coordinated Research Project of the International Atomic Energy Agency with the code F41032 (IAEA-CRP F41032).

New data of total and partial (γ,xn) cross sections with x = 1–3 are proposed to be measured by direct neutron multiplicity sorting using Laser Compton scattering (LCS) gamma ray beams at the ELI-NP to solve long standing discrepancies between existing Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (USA) and France Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Saclay photonuclear data. Pioneering experiments are currently performed at the NewSUBARU facility. We present here preliminary results on 209Bi(g,xn) cross section measurements.

We discuss the γ-ray strength function toward a unified understanding of (γ,n) and (n,γ) reactions and propose a novel technique of direct neutron-multiplicity sorting to resolve the long-standing discrepancy between the Livermore and Scalya data of partial photoneutron cross sections.

A new method of production of one of the most widely used isotopes in nuclear medicine, 177Lu, with high chemical purity was developed; this method includes irradiation of the HfO2 target with bremsstrahlung photons. The irradiated target was dissolved in HF and then diluted and placed onto a column filled with LN resin. Quantitative sorption of 177Lu could be observed during this process. The column later was rinsed with the mixture of 0.1 M HF and 1 M HNO3 and then 2 M HNO3 to remove impurities. Quantitative desorption of 177Lu was achieved by using 6 M HNO3. The developed method of 177Lu production ensures high purification of this isotope from macroquantities of hafnium and zirconium and radioactive impurities of carrier-free yttrium. The content of 177mLu in 177Lu in photonuclear production was determined. Due to high chemical and radionuclide purity, 177Lu obtained by the developed method can be used in nuclear medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formation of Sc radioisotopes under the irradiation of titanium of natural isotopic composition by bremsstrahlung photons with energies up to 55 MeV was studied. The yield of 47Sc is 5·105 Bq/μA h (g/cm2). Inevitable impurities are 46Sc and 48Sc (1.5% and 9.1% of 47Sc radioactivity at EOB, respectively). 47Sc was separated by extraction chromatography on a DGA resin in HNO3 and HCl media. The separation procedure takes about 2 h, the radiochemical efficiency was > 97%. The result was compared with other photonuclear experiments on titanium nuclei. It is shown that the photonuclear method can be used for the production of therapeutic amounts of 47Sc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of medical radionuclide 67Cu by the irradiation of Zn of natural isotopic composition by bremsstrahlung photons of maximum energy of 55 MeV was studied. Production yields of 67Cu and other activation products were determined. The yield of 67Cu is (2.34 ± 0.07) × 105 Bq/(μA h g/cm2) at EOB. The experimental data were compared with the results of other experiments and theoretical calculations based on the statistical model in the TALYS software and on the combined model of photonuclear reactions. Technique of chemical separation of 67Cu from irradiated zinc target based on extraction chromatography using CU Resin was applied. Radiochemical yield was > 95%, separation time was 1 h. The possibility of production of medical quantities was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of production a medical radionuclide 177Lu by irradiating natHfO2 by bremsstrahlung photons up to 55 MeV was investigated. The yields of the main nuclear reactions were measured. A procedure for one-step separation of carrier free 177Lu via extraction chromatography on the LN resin sorbent (Triskem) was developed. The radiochemical yield was 98%, separation factor was higher than 105. Isomeric ratio 177mLu/177Lu was estimated. Simulation of 177Lu production in photonuclear reactions on 178Hf, 179Hf and natHf nuclei was performed. The possibility of production of medical quantities was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]