Investigation of the Excitation Functions of Proton-Induced Reactions on Natural Gadolinium Using the Nuclear Interaction Codes TALYS 1.96 and EMPIRE 3.2

The excitation functions in proton-induced reactions on natural gadolinium natGd(p,xn)152,153,154,156,160Tb were calculated for terbium isotopes, which are of interest from both scientific and application points of view. The calculations were performed in wide energy range of proton beam from the corresponding thresholds of reactions up to 70 MeV. The calculations were carried out using TALYS 1.96 and EMPIRE 3.2 nuclear reaction codes. Calculations have been done by different models inherent in these codes. The obtained results are compared with published experimental data. The discrepancies between experimental and theoretical data were discussed, which indicates the need to expand the experimental data base in order to improve the theoretical models.