64 Cu isotope finds increasing theranostic applications in PET and nuclear medicine therapies. Clinically relevant 64 Cu activities can be produced by proton irradiation of enriched metal targets. This work presents a systematic theoretical study of non-carrier added 64 Cu production pathways with Ni and Zn enriched targets bombarded by protons accelerated by a low-energy medical cyclotron, evaluating the contribution of all the competing channels when degrading proton energy, changing target thickness and irradiation or cooling times, with the aim of optimizing such parameters and providing an overview of 64 Cu production. 64 Cu production from 95% 64 Ni and 97% 67 Zn enriched targets were considered. Yields at the End Of Bombardment (EOB) were calculated through TALYS code and an analytical computation based on the EXFOR experimental data libraries and on Bragg curves in targets evaluated with MCNPX Monte Carlo code. A validation of our theoretical estimations was obtained through a comparison with experimental data, when available in literature. The comparison between the two investigated pathways allows to point out the potential advantages of each method to be selected basing on the specific needs of production.
A systematic, theoretical study of non-carrier added 64Cu production with low energy medical cyclotrons
AUDITORE, Lucrezia;AMATO, ERNESTO;BALDARI, Sergio
2017-01-01
Abstract
64 Cu isotope finds increasing theranostic applications in PET and nuclear medicine therapies. Clinically relevant 64 Cu activities can be produced by proton irradiation of enriched metal targets. This work presents a systematic theoretical study of non-carrier added 64 Cu production pathways with Ni and Zn enriched targets bombarded by protons accelerated by a low-energy medical cyclotron, evaluating the contribution of all the competing channels when degrading proton energy, changing target thickness and irradiation or cooling times, with the aim of optimizing such parameters and providing an overview of 64 Cu production. 64 Cu production from 95% 64 Ni and 97% 67 Zn enriched targets were considered. Yields at the End Of Bombardment (EOB) were calculated through TALYS code and an analytical computation based on the EXFOR experimental data libraries and on Bragg curves in targets evaluated with MCNPX Monte Carlo code. A validation of our theoretical estimations was obtained through a comparison with experimental data, when available in literature. The comparison between the two investigated pathways allows to point out the potential advantages of each method to be selected basing on the specific needs of production.Pubblicazioni consigliate
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