Cross-section measurements at the Bern Medical Cyclotron
Tommaso Stefano Carzanigaa, Nicholas van der Meulen, Andreas Türler, Diana Würtrich, Saverio Braccini
University of Bern, Paul Scherrer Imnstitut (PSI)
Oral Presentation
No Conflicts of Interest.
The production of novel medical radioisotopes through the bombardment of isotope-enriched materials using solid targets and compact cyclotrons represents a scientific and technological challenge. In order to optimize the production yield and the radionuclide purity, precise knowledge of the cross-section as a function of the beam energy is crucial and existing nuclear data are often insufficient or contradictory. A research program aimed at the production of PET radio-metals as Ga-68, Cu-64, Sc-44, and Sc-43 is ongoing at the Bern Medical Cyclotron , where a solid target station was recently put in operation. A specific method for the assessment of cross-sections with a medical cyclotron was developed. Being based on irradiation by means of a monitored flat beam current surface density, the procedure does not depend on irregularities of thickness of the target material once the full mass is irradiated. This method is well suited for materials in form of powders.