Alpha-particle induced reactions on (nat)sb and (121)sb with particular reference to the production of the medically interesting radionuclide (124)i

摘要

Excitation functions of the reactions Sb-nat(alpha,xn)I-123,I-124,I-125,I-126 and Sb-121(alpha,xn)I-123,I-124 were measured from their respective thresholds up to 26 MeV, with particular emphasis on data for the production of the medically important radionuclide I-124. The conventional stacked-foil technique was used, and the samples for irradiation were prepared by a sedimentation process. The measured excitation curves were compared with the data available in the literature. From the experimental data the theoretical yields of the investigated radionuclides were calculated as a function of the alpha-particle energy. The calculated yield of I-124 from the Sb-nat(alpha,xn)I-124 process over the energy range E-alpha = 22 -> 13 MeV amounts to 1.02 MBq/mu A (.) h and from the Sb-121(alpha,n)I-124 reaction over the same energy range to 2.11 MBq/mu A (.) h. The radionuclidic impurity levels are discussed. Use of natSb as target material would not lead to high-purity I-124. Using highly enriched Sb-121 as target, production of I-124 of high radionuclidic purity is possible; the batch yield, however, is low. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.