Cross sections of the reaction Pa231(d,3n)U230 for the production of U230/Th226 for targeted α therapy

A. Morgenstern, O. Lebeda, J. Stursa, R. Capote, M. Sin, F. Bruchertseifer, B. Zielinska, and C. Apostolidis
Phys. Rev. C 80, 054612 – Published 25 November 2009

Abstract

U230 and its daughter nuclide Th226 are novel therapeutic nuclides for application in targeted α therapy of cancer. We investigated the feasibility of producing U230/Th226 via deuteron irradiation of Pa231 according to the reaction Pa231(d,3n)U230. The experimental excitation function for a deuteron-induced reaction on Pa231 is reported for the first time. Cross sections were measured using thin targets of Pa231 prepared by electrodeposition and U230 yields were analysed using α spectrometry. Beam energies were calculated from measured beam orbits and compared with the values obtained via monitor reactions on aluminium foils using high-resolution γ spectrometry and IAEA recommended cross sections. Beam intensities were determined using a beam current integrator. The experimental cross sections are in excellent agreement with model calculations allowing for deuteron breakup using the EMPIRE 3 code. According to thick-target yields calculated from the experimental excitation function, the reaction Pa231(d,3n)U230 allows the production of U230/Th226 at moderate levels.

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  • Received 23 September 2009

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.80.054612

©2009 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

A. Morgenstern1,*, O. Lebeda2, J. Stursa2, R. Capote3, M. Sin4, F. Bruchertseifer1, B. Zielinska1,†, and C. Apostolidis1

  • 1European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Transuranium Elements, Post Office Box 2340, D-76125 Karlsruhe, Germany
  • 2Nuclear Physics Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Public Research Institution, CZ-250 68 Rez, Czech Republic
  • 3NAPC-Nuclear Data Section, International Atomic Energy Agency, A-1400 Vienna, Austria
  • 4Nuclear Physics Department, University of Bucharest, Post Office Box MG-11, RO-70709 Bucharest-Magurele, Romania

  • *Corresponding author:alfred.morgenstern@ec.europa.eu
  • Present address: Department of Radiochemistry, Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Dorodna 16, PL-03-195, Warsaw, Poland.

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Vol. 80, Iss. 5 — November 2009

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