A simple thick target for production of 89Zr using an 11 MeV cyclotron

摘要

The growing interest but limited availability of ⁸⁹Zr for PET led us to test targets for the ⁸⁹Y(p,n) reaction. The goal was an easily constructed target for an 11 MeV Siemens cyclotron. Yttrium foils were tested at different thicknesses, angles and currents. A 90° foil tolerated 41 μA without damage and produced ~800 MBq/h, > 20 mCi, an amount adequate for radiochemistry research and human doses in a widely available accelerator. This method should translate to higher energy cyclotrons.