Determination of half lives and energy levels for photonuclear reaction products of erbium nucleus

Photonuclear reaction (PNR) is a reaction which occurred between a photon and a nucleus via interaction. Transition energy between levels of nucleus can be determined by PNR. Knowledges about transition energies of a nucleus and their live times are important for understanding of nuclear structure. There can be still ongoing studies for deeper understanding of nuclear structure. Determination of radioisotopes used in medical imaging methods and therapy and improvement of radiation protection methods can be possible with better understanding of nuclear structure. Determination of transition energy of nuclei and their half-lives can give knowledges about nucleus-nucleus reactions, fission, fusion, electric and magnetic transitions and production of radioisotopes. PNR can be created by directing high-energy γ-rays to the target nuclei. In this study, the erbium target was bombarded by breamstrahlung rays with 14 MeV maximum energy obtained from a modified clinical linear electron accelerator (cLINAC) to create PNR. The gamma rays emitted by the product nuclei were measured after activation. By analyzing of these measurements, the experimental transition energies of 161Ho and the half-life of 161Er have been determined. The results have been found as consistent with the literature values. In particular some transition energies of 161Ho have determined with more precise then those of literature values.