Nuclear Data for Production of New Medical Radionuclides

Abstract

The need for development of radionuclides for new medical applications is outlined. Recent studies deal with longer- lived positron emitters (e.g. ⁶⁴Cu, ⁷³Se, ⁷⁶Br, ¹²⁴I, etc.) for studying slow metabolic processes, radionuclides like ⁸³Sr, ⁸⁶Y, ^94mTc, etc. for applying the analogue approach, and therapeutic radionuclides (e.g. ⁶⁷Cu, ¹⁰³Pd, ¹⁸⁶Re, ²²⁵Ac, etc.). The relevant nuclear data work is reviewed. In general, highly enriched isotopes are used as target material and a medium-sized cyclotron appears to be capable of producing a large number of new radionuclides. In some cases intermediate energy reactions need to be utilized. Some of the measurements, especially those related to X-ray and Auger electron emitters, are challenging. Interest in therapeutic radionuclides is increasing and further nuclear data studies are essential.

Keywords:

• longer-lived positron emitter
• therapeutic radionuclide
• analogue approach
• cross section
• isomeric cross section ratio
• excitation function
• production yield
• radionuclidic purity