Embedded D-{sup 3}He Fusion Reactions and Medical Isotope Production in an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Device

Journal Article · Mon Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 2003 · Fusion Science and Technology

OSTI ID:20849571

Cipiti, B B; Kulcinski, G L ^[1]

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1. University of Wisconsin-Madison (United States)

The high-energy 14.7 MeV protons generated from the D-{sup 3}He fusion reaction can be used to produce medical radioisotopes. Steady-state D-{sup 3}He operation is possible using Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC); however, the location of the reactions must be known to use them effectively for isotope production. In University of Wisconsin IEC Device, it has been found that as much as 2/3 of the total D-{sup 3}He reaction rate can be due to embedded fusion reactions, reactions occurring within the cathode due to ion implantation. Therefore, the cathode surface sees a large, high-energy proton flux. Using a solid molybdenum cathode, and taking advantage of the embedded reactions, about 1 nCi of the medical isotope {sup 94m}Tc was created via {sup 94}Mo(p,n){sup 94m}Tc in a proof of principle experiment. This represents the first time the IEC concept has been used to produce a radioisotope using D-{sup 3}He fusion.

• OSTI ID: 20849571
• Journal Information: Fusion Science and Technology, Journal Name: Fusion Science and Technology Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 44; ISSN 1536-1055
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
CATHODES
ELECTROSTATICS
HELIUM 3
ICF DEVICES
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
ION IMPLANTATION
ISOTOPE PRODUCTION
MEV RANGE
MOLYBDENUM 94
OPERATION
PROTONS
REACTION KINETICS
SOLIDS
STEADY-STATE CONDITIONS
SURFACES
WISCONSIN