Hybridised production of technetium-99m and technetium-101 with fluorine-18 on a low-energy biomedical cyclotron

Abstract

New modes of production and supply of short-lived radioisotopes using accelerators are becoming attractive alternatives to the use of nuclear reactors. In this study, the use of a compact accelerator neutron source (CANS) was implemented to explore the production of 99m Tc and 101 Tc. Irradiations were performed with neutrons generated from a 16.5 MeV cyclotron utilising the 18 O( p , n ) 18 F reaction during routine 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) production in a commercial radiopharmacy. Natural molybdenum targets in metal form were employed for the production of several Tc isotopes interest via ( n , γ ) reactions on 98 Mo and 100 Mo. The production of 99m Tc and 101 Tc under these conditions is considered and discussed.