Activation cross-section data for $$\alpha $$ α -particle-induced nuclear reactions on natural vanadium for practical applications

Excitation functions for $$\alpha $$ -induced reactions on natural vanadium were measured in the energy range up to 20 MeV. The stacked-foil activation technique was used. The experimental results were compared with the theoretical calculations using EMPIRE-3.1, EMPIRE-3.2.2 and TENDL 2015, and with earlier experimental results. Thick target yields were calculated for the production of $$^{54}\hbox {Mn}$$ and for the associated impurity $$^{52}\hbox {Mn}$$ .