10 research outputs found

    Production of Medical Radioisotopes with High Specific Activity in Photonuclear Reactions with γ\gamma Beams of High Intensity and Large Brilliance

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    We study the production of radioisotopes for nuclear medicine in (γ,xn+yp)(\gamma,x{\rm n}+y{\rm p}) photonuclear reactions or (γ,γ\gamma,\gamma') photoexcitation reactions with high flux [(1013101510^{13}-10^{15})γ\gamma/s], small diameter (100μ\sim (100 \, \mum)2)^2 and small band width (ΔE/E103104\Delta E/E \approx 10^{-3}-10^{-4}) γ\gamma beams produced by Compton back-scattering of laser light from relativistic brilliant electron beams. We compare them to (ion,xxn+y + yp) reactions with (ion=p,d,α\alpha) from particle accelerators like cyclotrons and (n,γ\gamma) or (n,f) reactions from nuclear reactors. For photonuclear reactions with a narrow γ\gamma beam the energy deposition in the target can be managed by using a stack of thin target foils or wires, hence avoiding direct stopping of the Compton and pair electrons (positrons). (γ,γ)(\gamma,\gamma') isomer production via specially selected γ\gamma cascades allows to produce high specific activity in multiple excitations, where no back-pumping of the isomer to the ground state occurs. We discuss in detail many specific radioisotopes for diagnostics and therapy applications. Photonuclear reactions with γ\gamma beams allow to produce certain radioisotopes, e.g. 47^{47}Sc, 44^{44}Ti, 67^{67}Cu, 103^{103}Pd, 117m^{117m}Sn, 169^{169}Er, 195m^{195m}Pt or 225^{225}Ac, with higher specific activity and/or more economically than with classical methods. This will open the way for completely new clinical applications of radioisotopes. For example 195m^{195m}Pt could be used to verify the patient's response to chemotherapy with platinum compounds before a complete treatment is performed. Also innovative isotopes like 47^{47}Sc, 67^{67}Cu and 225^{225}Ac could be produced for the first time in sufficient quantities for large-scale application in targeted radionuclide therapy.Comment: submitted to Appl. Phys.

    PET/CT and PET/MRI in head and neck malignancy

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