Cross-section measurements of the nuclear reactions Zn-nat(d,x)Cu-64, Zn-66(d,alpha)Cu-64 and Zn-68(p,alpha n)Cu-64 for production of Cu-64 and technical developments for small-scale production of Cu-67 via the Zn-70(p,alpha)Cu-64 process

The radionuclides (CU)-C-64 (T-1/2 = 12.7 h) and Cu-67 (T-1/2 = 61.9h) are useful in internal therapy. In connection with production of Cu-64, excitation functions of the reactions Zn-nat(d,x)Cu-64, Zn-66(d, alpha)Cu-64 and Zn-68(p,alphan)Cu-64 were measured radiochemically using the stacked-foil technique. From the measured data, the thick target yields Of 64CU were calculated and compared with experimental data available in the literature. The three investigated processes are discussed in comparison to the commonly used Ni-64(p,n)Cu-64 reaction for the production of Cu-64. As regards Cu-67 production, the technical feasibility of the Zn-70(p, alpha)Cu-67 process was investigated. An electroplated isotopically enriched Zn-70 target was developed which can withstand slanting beams of 20MeV protons of currents up to 20muA. Methods for chemical separation of Cu-67 and efficient recovery of the enriched target material were worked out. The method is suitable only for small-scale production of Cu-67. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.