  $^{117m}$Sn is one of the radioisotopes can be beneficially produced through
alpha particle irradiation. The targets were prepared by deposition of
$^{116}$Cd metal onto high purity 12 $\mu$m thick Cu backing. The average
deposited thickness was 21.9 $\mu$m. The beam energy was thoroughly measured by
Time of Flight (TOF) methods and proved to be 51.2 MeV. For the experiment the
well-established stacked foil technique was used. In addition to the Cd
targets, Ti foils were also inserted into the stacks for energy and intensity
monitoring. The Cu backings were also used for monitoring and as recoil catcher
of the reaction products from the cadmium layer. The activities of the
irradiated foils were measured with HPGe detector for gamma-ray spectrometry
and cross section values were determined. As a result excitation functions for
the formation of $^{117m}$Sn, $^{117m,g}$In, $^{116m}$In, $^{115m}$In and
$^{115m,g}$Cd from enriched $^{116}$Cd were deduced and compared with the
available literature data and with the results of the nuclear reaction model
code calculations EMPIRE 3.2 and TALYS 1.8. Yield curves were also deduced for
the measured nuclear reactions and compared with the literature.

Nuclear Experiment