Production cross sections and thick target yields of α-particle-induced reactions on ^natFe below 50 MeV

α-particle-induced reactions on ^natFe were studied with a special focus on possible medical radionuclides ^58mCo and ⁵⁵Co. Cross sections for production of ^57,56Ni, ^{61,58m,58g,57,56,55}Co, ^52gFe, ^56,54,52gMn, and ⁵¹Cr and thick target yields of ^57,56Ni, ^58g,57,56,55Co, and ^54,52gMn were determined. Based on agreement between experimental yields and calculated ones using the measured cross sections, high reliability of the experimental data could be reached. The thick target yields of ^58mCo and ⁵⁵Co were calculated and found to be 36 GBq/C (129 MBq/μAh) and 17 MBq/C (62 kBq/μAh) at 35 MeV, respectively. The yield of ^58mCo is promisingly high although that of ⁵⁵Co is low through the reactions.