Excitation function for 7Be production in carbon by deuteron irradiations up to 50 MeV

In order to check and complement available experimental data for production of 7Be in deuteron irradiation of natC, new measurements with incident particle energy up to 50 MeV were performed. The 7Be content, measured with HPGe spectroscopy, allows determination of the excitation function of the natC(d,x)7Be reactions. A comparison with experimental literature values and results from updated theoretical codes (ALICE-D, EMPIRE-D, EAF2007 and TENDL2010 on-line libraries) is discussed. Thick target yields were derived from fits to our cross-sections and integrated personnel dose was calculated for different irradiation cycles and exposure scenarios around the IFMIF facility. - Highlights: ► Activation of structural elements around high power deuteron accelerators is studied. ► Cross sections for production of 7Be on C-targets are presented and compared to literature values. ► A comparison with theoretical nuclear reaction codes is discussed. ► Thick target yield is calculated. ► Committed dose to maintenance personnel for different irradiation scenarios is derived.