Authors: S M Qaim
Publish Date: 2010/02/21
Volume: 284, Issue: 3, Pages: 489-505
Abstract
A vast knowledge of nuclear data is available and is grouped under three headings namely nuclear structure nuclear decay and nuclear reaction data Still newer aspects are under continuous investigation Data measurements are done using a large number of techniques including the radiochemical method which has been extensively worked out at Jülich This method entails preparation of highquality sample for irradiation isolation of the desired radioactive product from the strong matrix activity and preparation of thin source suitable for accurate measurement of the radioactivity It is especially useful for fundamental studies on light complex particle emission reactions and formation of lowlying isomeric states both of which are rather difficult to describe by nuclear model calculations The neutron induced reaction cross section data are of practical application in fusion reactor technology particularly for calculations on tritium breeding gas production in structural materials and activation of reactor components The charged particle induced reaction cross section data on the other hand are of significance in medicine especially for developing new production routes of novel positron emitters and therapeutic radionuclides at a cyclotron Both neutron and charged particle data also find application in radiation therapy A brief overview of advances made in all those areas is given with major emphasis on nuclear reaction cross section dataThe article gives a brief review of the work carried out over a period of more than 35 years at the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry of the Research Centre Jülich Germany I am highly indebted to Professor Dr G Stöcklin and Prof Dr H H Coenen the former and present directors of the Institute for their continuous support of this field of study and to my own research group for painstaking efforts in acquisition and analysis of data A large number of PhD students and guest scientists also contributed appreciably to our efforts My special thanks are due to about 10 Hungarian scientists for a longterm and fruitful cooperation both in experimental studies and nuclear model calculations The partial financial supports of some external funding agencies like DFG DAAD EU IAEA etc are gratefully acknowledged
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