The article reports the production yields of the medically relevant Ru radionuclides and other co-produced radionuclides from 6,7Li-induced reactions on 93Nb target within the 20-45 MeV energy range. The residues were measured employing the activation technique followed by the offline γ-spectroscopy. Statistical model calculations using EMPIRE3.2.2 code are employed to assess the optimized nuclear model parameters and production mechanisms of the residues. As an outcome, new data from 6Li reaction suggests 9720 MBq/C of thick target yield (TTY) for the production of 95Ru with minimal impurities. While 7Li reaction may be relied upon for producing 97Ru, yielding 813 MBq/C TTY within the studied energy range.

Lead-203 is a SPECT emitter that can be used in theranostic applications as an imaging counterpart of lead-212 which is intended to be used for alpha therapy as lead-212/bismuth-212 in-vivo generator. In our study, we explore the production of lead-203 using enriched thallium-205 target irradiated by a deuteron beam. Excitation functions of deuteron induced reactions leading to the formation of 204m,203m2+m1+g,202m,201m+gPb, 202Tl and 203m+gHg isotopes were determined experimentally in the energy range from 21 MeV to 34 MeV. Cross sections were measured using the stacked foils technique and a set of two monitor foils, natNi and natTi for beam intensity evaluation. The experimental excitation functions of the investigated reactions were compared with the published data and also with the TENDL-2021 nuclear database. From our experimental data, we calculated lead-203 thick target yield in the energy range between 30 MeV and 32.5 MeV to be 56.7 MBq/μAh ±6.1 MBq/μAh. This value is compatible with large batch production showing that deuteron beams can be used for a routine production process. However, special attention must be paid to 203Hg and other lead contaminants.

Copper has several clinically relevant radioisotopes and versatile coordination chemistry, allowing attachment of its radionuclides to biological molecules. This characteristic makes it suitable for applications in molecular imaging or radionuclide targeted therapy. Of particular interest in nuclear medicine today is the theranostic approach. This brief review considers five radionuclides of copper. These are Cu-60, Cu-61, Cu-62, Cu-64, and Cu-67. The first four are positron emitters for imaging, and the last one Cu-67 is a β--emitting radionuclide suitable for targeted therapy. The emphasis here is on theory-aided evaluation of available experimental data with a view to establishing standardised cross-section database for production of the relevant radionuclide in high purity. Evaluated cross section data of the positron emitters have been already extensively reported; so here they are only briefly reviewed. More attention is given to the data of the 68Zn(p,2p)67Cu intermediate energy reaction which is rather commonly used for production of 67Cu.

Evaluation of the 63Cu(α,n)66Ga, 65Cu(α,2n) 67Ga and 65Cu(α,n)68Ga reactions was done to study the production of medical radionuclides 66Ga, 67Ga and 68Ga respectively. 63Cu(α,2n)65Ga and 65Cu(α,3n)66Ga reactions were also evaluated for the estimation of radioisotopic impurities. Cross section data of each reaction were compiled and normalized to the standard values of decay data and monitor reaction. To check the consistency of the literature data, three nuclear model calculations were performed, using nuclear model codes; TAYLS 1.9, ALICE-IPPE, and EMPIRE 3.2. A well-developed evaluation methodology based on the normalized experimental data and nuclear model calculations was used to generate the statistically fitted cross sections. From the fitted cross sections, thick target yields for each reaction were calculated for the estimation of radioisotopic impurities. Finally, a suitable energy region for the production of 66Ga, 67Ga and 68Ga was suggested with a minimum level of radioisotopic impurities.

Diagnostics field is facilitated with advancements enacted in anatomic imaging (cross-sectional modalities). Radionuclide scans (imaging) escorted by 67Ga are extensively beneficial in bone scintigraphy and recognition of prosthetic joint failure. Present work comprises the data concerning 67Ga production via α-particle induced nuclear reactions, TTY (thick target yield) and impurity analysis. Experimental measurements regarding 67Ga production are analyzed through a comparative study performed with calculations of theoretical model codes (TALYS-1.95, EMPIRE-3.2.3 and ALICE-IPPE). A data set of recommended cross-sections was generated and utilized to deduce TTY. The contribution of radionuclidic impurities is canvassed to suggest an energy region to produce impurity free 67Ga for medical applications.

The charge particle (α) induced reactions on enriched copper (65Cu) are investigated for the production of 68Ga. The data sets of experimental cross sections are compiled, normalized and nuclear model analysis is done using calculational codes namely, ALICE-IPPE, TALYS 1.95 and EMPIRE 3.2. The theoretical production cross sections via alpha particle induced reactions are calculated to present a set of recommended cross sections. The calculated cross sections are utilized to deduce thick target yield (TTY) for the 65Cu (α, n) 68Ga reaction. The range of energy for production of 68Ga is suggested up to 40 MeV having least contribution of radio-impurities.

Proton and deuteron beams (15.3 and 6.8 MeV, respectively) extracted from the PETtrace medical cyclotron at the Radiopharmaceuticals Production and Research Centre in the University of Warsaw, Heavy Ion Laboratory, 28 MeV protons from the C30 cyclotron at the National Centre for Nuclear Research, Świerk, near Warsaw and 33 MeV protons from the ARRONAX accelerator, Nantes were used to produce and investigate the medically interesting Sc radioisotopes. Both natural and isotopically enriched CaCO3 and TiO2 targets were used (42Ca, 43Ca, 44Ca, 48Ca, 48Ti). The production efficiency and isotopic purity were determined and are reported here for the highest commercially available enrichments of the target material. The Thick Target Yield, Activities at the End of Bombardment (EOB) and the relative activities of produced impurities at EOB are reported for 43Sc, 44gSc, 44mSc and 47Sc produced with particle energies below 33 MeV.

The internal α-particle beam of the Warsaw Heavy Ion Cyclotron was used to produce research quantities of the medically interesting Sc radioisotopes from natural Ca and K and isotopically enriched 42Ca targets. The targets were made of metallic calcium, calcium carbonate and potassium chloride. New data on the production yields and impurities generated during the target irradiations are presented for the positron emitters 43Sc, 44gSc and 44mSc. The different paths for the production of the long lived 44mSc/44gSc in vivo generator, proposed by the ARRONAX team, using proton and deuteron beams as well as alpha-particle beams are discussed. Due to the larger angular momentum transfer in the formation of the compound nucleus in the case of the alpha particle induced reactions, the isomeric ratio of 44mSc/44gSc at a bombarding energy of 29MeV is five times larger than previously determined for a deuteron beam and twenty times larger than for proton induced reactions on enriched CaCO3 targets. Therefore, formation of this generator via the alpha-particle route seems a very attractive way to form these isotopes. The experimental data presented here are compared with theoretical predictions made using the EMPIRE evaporation code. Reasonable agreement is generally observed.

The existing cross section data of the (nat)Eu(d,x) and (nat)Eu(p,x) reactions relevant for the production of (147,149)Gd were expanded up to 70.9 MeV and 44.8 MeV, respectively. Integral yields of radiogadolinium were calculated, showing production rates higher than for the earlier proposed irradiation of highly enriched (144)Sm with α- or (3)He-particles. The formation of radioisotopic impurities like (151)Gd (T(1/2)=124 d) and (153)Gd (T(1/2)=240 d) was below 5%. Production of (147,)(149)Gd using enriched europium is also discussed.