Niobium as Preferential Material for Cyclotron Target Windows

Abstract

The present work promotes and validates the benefits of using niobium instead of Havar® as the material for the target windows in most routine irradiations in cyclotrons. Calculation of the material activation and measurements of the contamination of the transferred target liquids show major improvements with the use of niobium. Also, the data of the daily routine productions at our production center are presented, proving that Havar® is not mandatory unless large target currents and/or pressures are required.

Keywords

• cyclotron
• radioisotope production
• targetry
• niobium
• target window