Excitation functions of Se(d,xn)Br reactions: Comparative evaluation of possible routes for the production of Br at a small cyclotron

Excitation functions were measured for the first time for ⁷⁴Se(d,n)⁷⁵Br and ⁷⁴Se(d,2n)^74mBr reactions from threshold to 23 MeV. Use was made of the stacked-foil technique, and thin samples were prepared by electrolytic deposition of 31.4% enriched ⁷⁴Se on Al-backing. Differential and integral yields of ^74mBr and ⁷⁵Br were calculated from the measured excitation functions. The optimum energy range for the production of ⁷⁵Br via the ⁷⁴Se(d,n)-process was found to be E_d = 12 → 8 MeV, with ⁷⁵Br-yield amounting to 509 MBq (13.75 mCi)/μAh and the ^74mBr impurity to 78Kr(p,)⁷⁵Br and ⁷⁴Se(d,n)⁷⁵Br, suggested for the production of ⁷⁵Br at a small cyclotron is given. The (d,n) reaction gives higher yield than the (p,) process and is preferable at cyclotrons with E_d 10 MeV. In general, at a small cyclotron the achievable batch yields of ⁷⁵Br via both the processes are limited.