Activation rates and chemical recovery of67Cu produced with low energy proton irradiation of enriched70Zn targets

Abstract

Copper-67 is a radioisotope with significant potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in nuclear medicine. Despite its promise,67Cu has failed to make an impact in clinical nuclear medicine, primarily because it is available sporadically, and in limited quantities. Common methods of production rely on high energy proton irradiation of natural zinc targets or on induced reactions using high energy neutrons at nuclear reactors. We have evaluated alternative production methods that could provide year-round adequate supply of this isotope. Using a low energy accelerator, we have studied the production of67Cu by proton reactions on enriched70Zn. Our results indicate that it is possible to produce useful quantities of67Cu from the irradiation of enriched70Zn with protons that have energies of less than 20 MeV. Production rates are higher than currently used methods at high energy accelerators or reactors. This isotope can be made available throughout the year as a result of this research.