Studies on excitation functions of alpha-induced reactions on nat Fe from threshold to 45 MeV

. Excitation functions of the nat Fe( α , x) 57 Ni, nat Fe( α , x) 55, 56, 57, 58m, g Co and nat Fe( α , x) 52, 54 Mn reactions were measured using the stacked-foil activation technique. The induced radioactivities in both the target and monitor foils were measured using an off-line γ -ray spectrometric technique. The cross sections for the above reactions were also calculated theoretically using the TALYS-1.8 code. The measured results were compared with the other experimental data and theoretical values. The theoretically calculated values are described well by our experimental data. It is observed that the rate of proton emission is larger than the neutron one. The measured results for the formation of few radionuclides are new and the other measured data strengthen the database. The experimental and theoretical studies on the investigated reactions should lead to a useful insight into the mechanisms of those reactions.