Target Systems for Radioisotope Production

Abstract

A high power target, to hold plated radioisotope target material for irradiation by an external particle beam, has been designed and tested. This paper describes the design and use of the target and its handling system, the External Target System with Isorabbit Transport. The target has been shown to dissipate up to 6.4 kW of beam power over an area of approximately 15 cm2 while maintaining the target surface temperature below 160°C. The target design was optimized by using finite difference analysis of various cooling fin geometries; close correlation is observed between predicted and measured target heat transfer properties. Important radiation safety features were incorporated in the mechanical design of the External Target System with Isorabbit Transport. Also described are high yield and high specific activity, shortlived, radioisotope production systems using protons as the bombarding particle. These include a system for 15O, 13N, and 11C gas production; a system for 13N-ammonia production by proton irradiation of water; and a system for 18F production by irradiation of 18O gas.