Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT:
The radionuclide 75Se (T1/2= 119.8 days) decays to the stable isotope 75As by 100 % electron
capture. Applications of this radioisotope include its use as a radiotracer in agricultural investigations
and as a potential irradiation source in high-activity brachytherapy. The application of this isotope as
a radiotracer in clinical studies has been limited due to a lack of availability of carrier-free 75Se.
In this study the excitation functions for the production of carrier-free 75Se, other selenium radioisotopes
and radiocontaminants produced via natBr(p,x) nuclear reactions were measured by the use of the
stacked foil technique.
Three separate stacks were assembled from aluminium and copper monitor foils and potassium
bromide tablets. The latter were prepared by pressing KBr salt into tablets with a thickness of 200
mg/cm2 and a diameter of 20 mm, which are sandwiched between thin Al foils. The monitor foils, with
a diameter of 19 mm, were punched from foil sheets. The stacks were irradiated at proton beam energies
of 100.9 MeV, 66.8 MeV and 40.4 MeV respectively at the National Accelerator Centre cyclotron facility.
After bombardment the KBr tablets were sealed in plastic bags to prevent the loss of any krypton
isotopes produced. The gamma-ray spectra of the induced radioactivity in each of the target foils were
recorded by means of a Ge-detector coupled with a SILENA 16-k multichannel analyser.
The measured excitation functions for the above-mentioned isotopes are presented. Where applicable
the cross-section values are compared with previously published values, while the others are presented
as new data. Theoretical calculations by means of the computer code ALICE (IPPE) were also done
for comparison. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:
Die radionuklied 75Se (T1/2= 119.8 dae) verval deur 100 % elektronvangs na die stabiele isotoop 75As.
Toepassings vir hierdie radioisotoop sluit in sy gebruik as 'n radiospoormiddel in landbou-ondersoeke en
as 'n potensiële stralingsbron in hoë aktiwiteit bragiterapie. Die aanwending van hierdie isotoop as 'n
radiospoorder in kliniese studies word egter beperk deur die gebrek aan beskikbaarheid van draer-vry
75Se.
In hierdie studie is die opwekkingskrommes vir die produksie van draer-vry 75Se, ander selenium
radioistope en radiokontaminante bepaal deur die natBr(p,x) kernreaksies te meet met behulp van die
foelie-stapel metode. Drie verskillende stapels, bestaande uit aluminium- en koper-monitor foelies en
kalium-bromied tablette, is saamgestel. Laasgenoemde is voorberei deur KBr sout saam te pers tot
tablette met 'n dikte van 200 mg/cm2 en 'n deursnit van 20 mm en wat omsluit is met dun Al-foelies.
Die monitor-foelies, met 'n deursnit van 19 mm, is gepons uit foelieplate. Die stapels is bestraal met
protonbundels met energieë van onderskeidelik 100.9 MeV, 66.8 MeV en 40.4 MeV by die Nasionale
Versneller Sentrum, Faure, se siklotron-fasiliteit. Na bombardering is die KBr tablette verseël in plastieksakkies
om verliese van enige vervaardigde kripton isotope te verhoed. Die gamma-straal spektra van
die geinduseeerde radioaktiwiteit in elke teiken is opgeneem met behulp van 'n Ge-detektor wat gekoppel
was aan 'n SILENA 16-k multikanaal-analiseerder.
Bogenoemde isotope se gemete opwekkingskrommes word aangebied. Waar van toepassing word die
kansvlakwaardes vergelyk met vorige gepubliseerde waardes terwyl ander aangebied word as die eerste
data bekend. 'n Vergelyking met die teoreties berekende kansvlakwaardes van die rekenaar kode ALICE
(IPPE) word ook gedoen.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/51679 |
| Date | 03 1900 |
| Creators | De Villiers, Dawid |
| Contributors | Richter, W. A., Nortier, F. M., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Science. Dept. of Physics. |
| Publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | en_ZA |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 75 p. : ill. |
| Rights | Stellenbosch University |
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