Nuclear data for production of 88Y, 140Nd, 153Sm and 169Yb via novel routes

Abstract

The possibilities of production of the therapy-related radionuclides 140Nd, 153Sm and 169Yb, and of 88Y, in no-carrier-added form were investigated. For 88Y production the nuclear processes natSr(p,xn)88Y and natRb(α, xn)88Y over the energy ranges E p = 14→9 MeV and E α = 18→12 MeV, respectively, can be utilised, although the former reaction is superior, both in terms of yield and radionuclidic purity. For 140Nd production the reactions 141Pr(p, 2n)140Nd and natCe(3He, xn)140Nd were investigated in detail. The optimum energy ranges are E p = 30→15 MeV and E 3He = 35→ 20 MeV, respectively. Both processes yield high-purity 140Nd. The former reaction, however, leads to a product yield about 17 times higher than the latter reaction, and is therefore to be preferred. In the case of 153Sm, investigations were done on the 153Eu(n,p)153Sm reaction with 14 MeV d(Be) neutrons as well as on the 150Nd(α, n)153Sm reaction. The yield of the (n,p) reaction is very low, but the (α, n) reaction over the energy range E α = 25→15 MeV offers a good potential for production of no-carrier-added 153Sm in quantities sufficient for therapeutic applications. Also for the radionuclide 169Yb a novel route, viz. 169Tm(p,n)169Yb reaction, was investigated. A critical comparison of this route with the commonly used (n, γ) route, however, showed that, due to the much higher cost involved, the (p,n) process should be utilised only when there is a real need of the high specific radioactivity product.