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Production of medical radioisotope 64Cu by photoneutron reaction using ELI-NP γ-ray beam

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Abstract

Copper-64 is a radioisotope of medical interest that could be used for positron emission tomography imaging and targeted radiotherapy of cancer. In this work, we investigated the possibility of producing the \(^{64}\)Cu isotope through a \(^{65}\)Cu(\(\gamma \),n) reaction using high-intensity \(\gamma \)-beams produced at the Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics facility (ELI-NP). The specific activity for \(^{64}\)Cu was obtained as a function of target geometry, irradiation time, and electron beam energy, which translates into \(\gamma \)-beam energy. Optimized conditions for the generation of \(^{64}\)Cu isotopes at the ELI-NP were discussed. We estimated that an achievable saturation specific activity is of the order of 1–2 mCi/g for thin targets (radius 1–2 mm, thickness 1 cm) and for a \(\gamma \)-beam flux of 10\(^{11}\) s\(^{-1}\). Based on these results, the ELI-NP could provide great potential for the production of some innovative radioisotopes of medical interest in sufficient quantities suitable for nuclear medicine research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China

    Wen Luo

  2. Extreme Light Infrastructure - Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP)/“Horia Hulubei”, National Institute for R&D in Physics and Nuclear Engineering (IFIN-HH), 30 Reactorului St., Bucharest-Magurele, jud. Ilfov, P.O.B. MG-6, 077125, Iasi, Ilfov, Romania

    Wen Luo

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  1. Wen Luo
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Correspondence to Wen Luo.

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This work was supported by Extreme Light Infrastructure-Nuclear Physics (ELI-NP)—Phase I, a project co-financed by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 11405083) and the Young Talent Project of the University of South China.

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Luo, W. Production of medical radioisotope 64Cu by photoneutron reaction using ELI-NP γ-ray beam. NUCL SCI TECH 27, 96 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41365-016-0094-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41365-016-0094-6

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