New measurement of cross section of evaporation residues from $^{\textrm{nat}}$Pr+$^{12}$C reaction: A comparative study on the production of $^{149}$Tb

Abstract

Production cross sections of evaporation residues, $^{149}$Tb, $^{150}$Tb, $^{151}$Tb and $^{149}$Gd, have been measured using the stacked foil technique followed by off-line $\gamma$-spectrometry in $^{12}$C induced reactions on naturally abundant mononuclidic praseodymium target in the 44-79 MeV incident energy range. Measured data have been interpreted comparing with previous measurements and theoretical prediction of nuclear reaction model code \textsc{PACE4}. About 5% and 14% of the theoretical cross sections have been measured for $^{149}$Tb and $^{150}$Tb, respectively. The new cross sections of $^{149}$Tb complement those measured earlier by $\alpha$-spectrometry. Cross sections of $^{151}$Tb are comparable to the theory. Cumulative cross section of $^{149}$Gd sheds light on the nuclear reaction mechanism. In addition, a discussion has been made to show the feasibility of producing $^{149}$Tb in $p$- and $\alpha$-induced reactions on gadolinium isotopes.