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Neutron-capture reactions on gadolinium isotopes play an important role in several fields of physics,in particular in nuclear Astrophysics for the understanding of the nucleosynthesis of heavy elements (beyond iron) in stars via the s- and r-processes [1] and in nuclear technology. Another important application of gadolinium is linked to the production of terbium, that offers a set of clinically interesting isotopes for theranostics, characterized by complementary physical decay characteristics. In particular, the low-energy β −emitter terbium-161 is very similar to lutetium-177 in terms of half-life (6.89 d), β − energy and chemical properties. Being a significant emitter of conversion/Auger electrons, greater therapeutic effect can therefore be expected in comparison to Lu-177 [2, 3]. For this reason, in the last decade, the study of the neutron capture reaction 160Gd(n,γ)161 Gd and the subsequent β − decay in terbium-161 is getting particular attention. As the nuclear data on the Gd-160 neutron capture reaction are quite scarce and inconsistent, a new measurement of the capture cross section of Gd-160 at the CERN neutron Time-Of-Flight facilty was performed in order to provide high resolution, high-accuracy data on this important reaction, in the energy range from thermal to hundreds of keV. In this contribution, the preliminary results of the n_TOF measurement are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several international agencies recommend the study of new routes and new facilities for producing radioisotopes with application to nuclear medicine. 177Lu is a versatile radioisotope used for therapy and diagnosis (theranostics) of cancer with good success in neuroendocrine tumours that is being studied to be applied to a wider range of tumours. 177Lu is produced in few nuclear reactors mainly by the neutron capture on 176Lu. However, it could be produced at high-intensity celeratorbased neutron facilities. The energy of the neutrons in accelerator-based neutron facilities is higher than in thermal reactors.Thus, experimental data on the 176Yb(n,γ) cross-section in the eV and keV region are mandatory to calculate accurately the production of 177Yb, which beta decays to 177Lu. At present, there are not experimental data available from thermal to 3 keV of the 176Yb(n,γ) cross-section. In addition, there is no data in the resolved resonance region (RRR). This contribution shows the first results of the 176Yb capture measurement performed at the n_TOF facility at CERN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NEAR Station is a new experimental area developed at the n_TOF Facility at CERN. The activation station of NEAR underwent a characterization of the beam following the installation of the new n_TOF Spallation Target. The commissioning of the neutron beam comprises a set of simulations made with the FLUKA code and experimental verification. The experimental determination of the neutron spectrum was made using activation techniques with three separate set-ups. Two set-ups were based on the Multi-foil Activation technique (MAM-1 and MAM-2), and the third set-up relied on the process of neutron moderation and activation of a single material (ANTILoPE). The three set-ups are presented. Also the present plans and future perspectives of the activation station of NEAR are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]