Copper-67 production on electron linacs - Photonuclear technology development

Abstract

Despite modest photonuclear cross sections, such as for the 68Zn(γ,p)67Cu reaction, electron linac technology appears to be a commercially promising option for production of valuable isotopes. Electron accelerators - sources of Bremsstrahlung gamma radiation - are presently available and under-utilized and may offer an affordable route to an expanded supply of 67Cu and other isotopes. Two key developments have been demonstrated for 67Cu production: large (100g) solid metal targets; and rapid (1-day) separation of trace amounts of product from the target mass. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.