Development of New Target Stations for the South African Isotope Facility

G Steyn ,Mike Hogan,Clive Naidoo,William Duckitt,Ivan Kohler,Jacobus Lawrie,Hendrik Mostert,Philip Beukes,Herman Du Plessis,Johan Van Niekerk,Lyndon Anthony,Chris Lussi,Johan Broodryk,Shadley Baard,David Saal,Nieldane Stodart,J.c Cornell ,D.t Fourie ,J G De Villiers ,Jac Conradie ,F Azaiez ,R A Bark ,J P Mira ,S G Dolley ,K Vuyo Mjali ,Reiner W Thomae ,F Nemulodi ,Adriaan Barnard ,P A Van Schalkwyk

doi:10.3390/instruments2040029

Abstract

The development of new target stations for radioisotope production based on a dedicated 70 MeV commercial cyclotron (for protons) is described. Currently known as the South African Isotope Facility (SAIF), this initiative will free the existing separated-sector cyclotron (SSC) at iThemba LABS (near Cape Town) to mainly pursue research activities in nuclear physics and radiobiology. It is foreseen that the completed SAIF facility will realize a three-fold increase in radioisotope production capacity compared to the current programme based on the SSC.

Highlights

IntroductionIThemba LABS is a multi-disciplinary research facility under the management of the National
IThemba LABS is a multi-disciplinary research facility under the management of the NationalResearch Foundation (NRF) of South Africa
In 1996, a second target station was introduced for the bombardment of semi-permanent targets, including an enriched 18 O-water target for 18 F production, which was later transferred to a dedicated

Summary

Introduction

IThemba LABS is a multi-disciplinary research facility under the management of the National. It provides accelerated ion beams for radioisotope production, nuclear physics research and, until recently, neutron and proton therapy. To increase the beam time for radioisotope production and nuclear physics research, the establishment of a new facility, currently known as the South African Isotope Facility (SAIF), has been proposed. A commercial high-current 70 MeV H− cyclotron for this purpose will free the SSC and allow an increase in beam time for nuclear physics and related research. The Accelerator Centre for Exotic Beams (ACE Beams) will be a radioactive ion beam (RIB) facility for nuclear physics research. With the above “roadmap” for the future of iThemba LABS in place, a design study on new target stations for radionuclide production with a dedicated 70 MeV cyclotron commenced. A brief historical overview is given, followed by discussing the new station design and the changes necessary to the current facilities at iThemba LABS to accommodate them

Existing Facilities

ACE Isotopes

New Target Stations

Results and Conclusion