Novel solid target and irradiation methods for theranostic radioisotope production at the Bern medical cyclotron

¹ Albert Einstein Center for Fundamental Physics (AEC), Laboratory for High Energy Physics (LHEP), University of Bern – Bern, Switzerland
² Department of Physics “Ettore Pancini”, University of Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo – Napoli, Italy

^* Corresponding author: gaia.dellepiane@lhep.unibe.ch

Published online: 22 June 2023

Abstract

The production of medical radioisotopes for theranostics is essential for the development of personalized nuclear medicine. Among them, radiometals can be used to label proteins and peptides and their supply in quantity and quality suitable for clinical applications represents a scientific challenge. A research program is ongoing at the Bern medical cyclotron, where an IBA Cyclone 18/18 HC is in operation. The cyclotron provides 18 MeV proton beams up to 150 μA and is equipped with a Solid Target Station (STS) and a 6 m Beam Transport Line (BTL), ending in a separate bunker with independent access. A novel magnetic target coin was realized to bombard isotope-enriched materials in the form of compressed powders, together with a compact focalization system to enhance the irradiation procedure. For an optimized production yield with the required radionuclidic purity, novel methods were developed to precisely measure the extracted beam energy and the involved reaction cross sections. In particular, a target station was realized to measure nuclear cross sections using materials in the form of powder deposited on an aluminium disc by sedimentation, bombarded by a monitored flat beam.