16th Varenna Conference on Nuclear Reaction Mechanisms

Medical radionuclide research activities at JRC-Geel

16 Jun 2023, 11:30

30m

Villa Monastero

Medical radioisotopes Facilities and data

Speaker

Andrea Tsinganis (European Commission - Joint Research Centre (JRC))

Description

At least part of the demand for medical radionuclides currently produced via fission of ${}^{235}$U in dedicated reactors could be met in the future by alternative accelerator-based production routes via photonuclear and light-ion reactions, thus addressing supply chain issues that arise from the operation of ageing reactors and nuclear proliferation concerns, as well as offering easier separation of the end-products and a reduced reliance on a limited number of large producers.
In this context, a programme to study photon- and neutron-induced reactions of medical interest, as well as accelerator-based methods of medical radionuclide production, has been instituted at JRC-Geel. Making use of existing as well as new infrastructure, this activity focuses on both established radionuclides, such as ${}^{99m}$Tc and its parent ${}^{99}$Mo (used in SPECT imaging), and emerging radionuclides, such as ${}^{225}$Ac (relevant for targeted alpha therapy). The recently renewed MONNET 3.5 MV Tandem accelerator provides light ion beams for reaction-based quasi-mono-energetic neutron production, and has been used for the study of ${}^{99}$Mo production via neutron irradiation of molybdenum nanoparticles. At the same time, a new electron beamline that can deliver quasi-mono-energetic beams has been commissioned at the GELINA electron linac, and will be primarily dedicated to the study of photonuclear reactions and for medical radioisotope production studies via photon irradiation.
In this work we present an overview of the medical radionuclide activities at JRC-Geel, including a description of existing and newly commissioned infrastructure, with particular attention to the design, development and future improvements to the new GELINA electron beamline. Future perspectives of the programme are also discussed.

Presentation materials

Tsinganis_Varenna_2023_JRC_upload.pdf

Peer reviewing

Paper

Accepted on 22 Oct 2023 by Francesco Cerutti

Paper files:

• publication_right_form_Tsinganis.pdf
• Varenna_2023_Tsinganis.zip
• Varenna_2023_Tsinganis.pdf