Excitation functions of proton-induced nuclear reactions on natCaCO3 up to 60 MeV

Sc-47 could be used in SPECT imaging and is also suitable for targeted therapy of small tumours. Application of Sc-47 is quite promising as theranostic with its diagnostic pair Sc-44 or Sc-43. Excitation functions for the production of Sc-47 and its accompanying impurities through proton bombardment of natural calcium carbonate ((CaCO3)-Ca-nat) targets were experimentally evaluated and compared with both previous measurements and TALYS predictions. The integral production yields of Sc-47, as well as the main impurities Sc-44m,Sc-46,Sc-48, were calculated. The consistency of the results with available experimental data was verified for each reaction. The target yield was determined using the measured activity of the produced radionuclides.

Automated summary

This study experimentally evaluated the excitation cross sections of Sc-47 and its accompanying impurities, comparing the results with previous measurements and predictions. The integral production yields of Sc-47 were found to be relatively high, and its relationship with Sc-44 and Sc-43 is significant for the use of Sc-47 as a therapeutic diagnostic agent.