H − cyclotrons for radioisotope production

Abstract

Over the past few years H − cyclotrons have been introduced as powerful radioisotope producers. Four of these machines, supplied by The Cyclotron Corporation of Berkeley, California, are now in regular operation in the US, Britain, Germany and Canada. They routinely accelerate protons, variable in energy from 11 to 42 MeV, at beam currents of up to 200 μA after extraction. Negative ion cyclotrons feature simplicity of extraction, ease of varying the energy and potential for more than one extracted beam. Target systems are installed in the external beams, thus eliminating much of the usual activation and contamination of the cyclotron. Operational experience with the presently installed machines is reviewed.