Systematic study of (p, n) and (p, 2n) reactions on 110Cd

Standard activation analysis technique with γ ray spectroscopy via off-line mode was utilized for reaction cross section estimation. The proton beam was transported from the BARC-TIFR accelerator and targeted on the natCd target. The 16 MeV proton beam irradiated the sample, and Copper foil was utilized as an energy degrader. The activation cross sections were estimated for 110Cd(p, n) reaction for the ground state (Jπ = 7+) population of 110In nucleus and 110Cd(p, 2n)109In reaction at 14.14 MeV of proton energy. Along with experimental measurements, the theoretical study has been carried out for ground and metastable states population by utilizing the nuclear model code TALYS-1.95, EMPIRE-3.2.3, and ALICE-2014 for both reaction channels. The estimated cross sections are valuable for the improvement of theoretical nuclear model codes for a comprehensive knowledge of nuclear reaction mechanisms. The produced isotopes 109,110In have significant importance in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) studies. The present study is a dive into the phenomenological and microscopic level density models of different nuclear model codes in predicting excitation functions.