Transport model predictions of (225)AC production cross sections via energetic p, d and alpha irradiation of Th-232 targets

Monte Carlo transport codes PHITS and MCNP6 were used to calculate the production cross sections of (225,227)AC, Th-227,Th-229, Ra-223,Ra-225, and Pa-229,Pa-230,Pa-231 via the bombardment of a Th-232 target with energetic protons, deuterons, and alpha-particles. The incident projectile energies ranged between 10 and 800 MeV/nucleon. When possible, the predicted production cross sections were compared with the available experimental data and other predictions. The degree of the codes' abilities to match the measured data provides a qualitative assessment of the codes' abilities to predict data from similar, but unmeasured, projectile/target systems. In addition, a comparison between calculated cross sections and data may provide insight into possible improvements in the physics models employed by those transport codes.