A new approach to targetry and cyclotron production of 45Ti by proton irradiation of 45Sc

Abstract

Titanium-45 with a half-life of 3.09 hours decays by emission of positrons (85%) and the electron capture process (15%). These properties make this radionuclide useful in the diagnosis of tumors by positron emission tomography. In this study, after having considered the excitation functions for the 45Sc(p, n)45Ti reaction using TALYS and ALICE/ASH codes and after the comparison with other experimental data, 45Ti was produced by dint of the pressing method and a newly designed and manufactured shuttle and capsule, resulting in an experimental yield of 403.3 MBq/mAh. Essential target thickness and physical yield were calculated. The scandium oxide target was irradiated at a 20 mA current and a 21 MeV proton beam energy for 1 hour.

Keywords

• 45Ti
• 45Sc
• proton
• excitation function
• physical yield