Measurement of fission neutron spectrum averaged cross sections of some threshold reactions on zinc: small-scale production of no-carrier-added 64Cu in a nuclear reactor

Abstract

Summary Fission neutron spectrum averaged cross sections of some threshold reactions like (n,p), (n, α) and (n,2n) on zinc were measured using the activation technique in combination with radiochemical separations and high-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy. Special attention was paid to the formation of 64Cu via the 64Zn(n,p) 64Cu reaction since 64Cu labeled compounds are potentially important radiopharmaceuticals. At a fast neutron flux density of 7.5 × 1013 cm-2s-1 and using a 100% enriched 64Zn target, 35 GBq activity of no-carrier-added 64Cu per batch could be produced. The process seems to be interesting from the medical application viewpoint, if a cyclotron is not available. A fast neutron source, on the other hand, would lead to significantly higher yield of 64Cu.