Cross section of the 96Zr(α,n)99Mo reaction induced by α-particles beams on natZr targets

The excitation function of the 96Zr (α,n)99Mo reaction was determined using the stacked-foil activation technique. For the experiments, two stacks with metal foils of Cu, Ti and Zr of natural isotopic composition were irradiated independently with a 27.2 MeV α-particle beam. The characteristics of the primary beam and its verification along each stack were determined according to the well-known natCu(α,x)65Zn, natCu(α,x)66,67Ga, and natTi (α,x)51Cr monitor reactions. It was deduced that the expected production yield from 99Mo by irradiating 96Zr targets with a 23.8 MeV alpha particle beam for 1 h is 1.77 MBq/μA. According to the results, irradiation characteristics are proposed to produce 99Mo with high specific activity. •Measurement of the cross section of 96Zr (α, n)99Mo reaction.•99Mo yield production by irradiating Zr targets with alpha particle beams.•Irradiation parameters in cyclotrons to obtain 99Mo with high specific activity.