Upgrade of the equipment for production of gallium isotopes from proton - activated zinc targets

Abstract

Two gallium isotopes, 66Ga (T1/2=9.4h, β+ 4.2MeV) and 67Ga (T1/2=78h, EC), can serve as good models in development of new 68Ga-labelled (T1/2=68m, β+ 1.9MeV) PET radiopharmaceuticals. In order to produce 66Ga and/or 67Ga from zinc targets activated in a medical cyclotron, we designed a prototype target whose external dimensions match the geometry of other standard targets, but which contains modified internal parts. Besides, we equipped our old apparatus for solvent extraction of 67Ga in new, remotely controlled, electric valves. Performance of the upgraded chemical apparatus turned out good and the gas- and water-tightness of the new target at room temperature were satisfactory too. Performance of the new target in the transport lines of the PETtrace cyclotron as well as its behavior in harsh thermal conditions have to be the matter of future experiments.