Yields of Cyclotron Produced Medical Isotopes: A Comparison of Theoretical Potential and Experimental Results

Abstract

Experimentally obtained yields of most of the medical radioisotopes, produced with cyclotrons through different nuclear reactions at various bombarding energies in laboratories around the world, are presented. These yields are compared with those calculated using experimentally measured cross sections (where available) at similar bombarding conditions. Where experimental cross sections are unavailable, empirically constructed excitation functions have been used. The information provided in this paper would be a valuable aid in selecting the most suitable nuclear reaction and bombarding conditions for producing a particular radioisotope and in assessing various losses of the isotope during chemical processing of the irradiated target.