Excitation functions of natNi(p, x) reactions in the energy range of 75–100 MeV

Stacked-foil activation technique and high-resolution gamma spectrometry were used to investigate new excitation functions of proton-induced nuclear reactions on natNi targets in the energy range of 75–100 MeV. The stack foils were irradiated with 100 MeV protons at the separated-sector cyclotron of the Institute of Modern Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. The proton intensity for each nickel foil was determined using the natNi(p, x)57Ni monitor reaction. The cross-sections of the natNi(p, x)56Ni, 55,57,58Co, and 54Mn reactions were calculated and compared with the existing literature data presented in the Experimental Nuclear Reaction Data (EXFOR). Furthermore, evaluated nuclear data of the PADF-2007, ENDF/B-VIII.0, and JENDL-4.0/HE libraries as well as theoretical calculations of the TALYS code were used. Overall, our experimental data agree with the majority of the literature data. The results of TALYS code as well as the ENDF/B-VIII.0 and JENDL-4.0/HE libraries could reproduce most of the experimental trend, whereas the results of PADF-2007 library could not do so. The new experimental results provide cross-sections for proton-induced natNi reactions in the energy range of 75–100 MeV and could serve as a technical assistance for radionuclide production and radiation safety practices.