Abstract
Excitation functions for the formation of the radionuclides Co-56, Co-57, Co58m+g and Mn-54 via proton induced reactions on natural iron target were measured from their respective thresholds up to 16 MeV using the stacked-foil activation technique and HPGe detector gamma-ray spectroscopy. In the threshold energy range, the low cross sections for Mn-54 were measured radiochemically. All the measured values were compared with available experimental data and with theoretical calculations reproduced in TENDL-2015 nuclear data library. New data for the formation of Co-57, Co-58 and Mn-54 were obtained near their reaction thresholds. Other data obtained strengthen the database. Polynomial fittings of the data measured in this work as well as of all data sets (including the present data) were performed. The present data appear to be closer to theoretical calculations than the literature data.