Application of the Nirta® Solid irradiation system at the cyclotron Cyclone 18/9® at the HZDR in Leipzig

The cyclotron Cyclone 18/9® (IBA RadioPharma Solutions) at the HZDR in Leipzig serves different research prurposes within the fields of neuroradiopharamceutical research and resource ecology. The latter is utilizing mainly solid targets with two installed Nirta® Solid irradiation systems (IBA RadioPharma Solutions). The wide variety of research projects implies a broad spectrum of required non-conventional radionuclides (Ti-45, V-48, Cr-51, Co-56, Cu-64, Sr-85, Y-86, Y-88, Zr-89, Ag-105, La-135, Ce-139, Au-194). Here we give an overview about the used target designs, irradiation parameters and target processing.
One Nirta® Solid irradiation system (SIS1) is mounted at a 2 m beam transfer line at port 3. Another irradiation system (SIS2) is directly attached to yoke of the cyclotron via a short tube at port 4. In both cases the proton energy is adjusted by the vacuum window and the entrance window of the target. SIS2 is the standard setup. It can hold coin like target disks (Ø 24 mm x 2mm). The maximal effective target size is Ø 12 mm x 1 mm. The SIS2 is used for the irradiation of metal foils, which are crimped inside the disk in between a cover and a backing plate. SIS1 has been modified to operate target capsules with a maximal effective target size of Ø 12 mm x 4 mm. This enables the irradiation of powders and pellets aside its use for metal foils. Both irradiation systems can be pre-loaded with 3 targets for consecutive irradiations. Different target materials are used for irradiation, like metal foils (Sc-45(p,n)Ti-45, Ti-48(p,n)V-48, V-nat(p,n)Cr-51, Ni-64(p,n)Cu-64, Y 89(p,n)Zr-89, Pd-nat(p,n)Ag-105), metal powders (Ti-48(p,n)V-48, Fe-nat(p,n)Co-56, Pt-nat(p,n)Au-194), oxides (La-nat(p,n)Ce-139), carbonates (Sr 86(p,n)Y-86, Sr 88(p,n)Y-88, Ba-135(p,n)La-135) and chlorides (Rb-85(p,n)Sr-85). If required electroplating or pellet pressing is applied for target preparation. After irradiation the targets are transferred out of the vault by a conveyer system. For target processing different techniques, like liquid/liquid extraction, liquid/solid extraction and chromatography are used. Radionuclidical purity is shown by gamma-ray spectrometry.
The presented methods allow us a straightforward and reliable production of n.c.a. radionuclides for our research purposes and an effective recovery of the enriched target materials. Target irradiation, preparation and processing are easily adapted in accordance to the experimental needs.