Theoretical models validation of Cr -51 production reactions for medical applications

Abstract

This study provides a thorough simulation and analysis of cross-sections for the production of ⁵¹Cr by various nuclear reactions. Our objective is to validate the production process of ⁵¹Cr, an essential radionuclide used in nuclear medicine for studying blood cells’ physiological and pathological characteristics. In order to do this, we used the nuclear level density, optical model potential, and preequilibrium model integrated into the TALYS 1.96 code for theoretical modeling. The obtained results have been compared with experimental data taken from the EXFOR database. We have also taken TENDL library data and TALYS as a whole code to enhance our evaluation. The study assesses multiple nuclear reactions: ⁵¹V(p,n)⁵¹Cr, ⁵¹V(d,2n)⁵¹Cr, ⁴⁸Ti(a,n)⁵¹Cr, ⁵²Cr(n,2n)⁵¹Cr, ⁵⁴Fe(n,a)⁵¹Cr, and ⁵⁵Mn(p,x)⁵¹Cr in order to identify the most effective routes in terms of production, relative variance analysis, presence of nuclidic impurities, and the optimum energy range. The cross-section, theoretical yield, target thickness, and activity have been calculated to optimize and help in finding the best reaction conditions, which improve the production of ⁵¹Cr inside a cyclotron for medical uses.