Fission neutron spectrum averaged cross sections of some threshold reactions on molybdenum and nickel: Relevance to the production of 99Mo and 57Co

Fission neutron spectrum averaged cross sections were measured by the activation technique in combination with radiochemical separations and high-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy for the low-yield reactions 95Mo(n, p)95Nb, 98Mo(n, α)95Zr, 58Ni(n, 2n)57Ni and 58Ni(n, n'p+pn+d)57Co. The cross sections lie between 5 and 253 μb. The relevance of those data to the production of 99Mo and 57Co is discussed. The amounts of long-lived 95Nb and 95Zr in the (n, γ)-produced 99Mo-99mTc generator are only of some significance from the view-point of waste disposal. A radiochemical separation of 57Ni followed by removal of its decay product can lead to high purity 57Co in small amounts. (orig.)