Production of High-Specific-Activity Radioisotopes Using High-Energy Fusion Neutrons
Abstract
We show that transmutation driven by high-energy neutrons from deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion reactions can produce many important medical radioisotopes - including 32P, 60Co, 64Cu, 89Sr, 90Y, 89Zr, 99Mo/99mTc, 103Pd, 111In, 117In/117m1Sn, 123I, 125I, 131I, 133Xe, 153Sm, 166Ho, 177Lu, 188Re, and 192Ir-and emerging isotopes such as 47Sc, 67Cu, 103Ru/103mRh, 103Pd/103mRh, 119Sb, 124I, 155Tb, 161Tb, 195m1Ir/195mPt, and 225Ac with high specific activity and in large quantities. These reactions involve stable, abundant feedstocks and non-fission transmutation channels that change the proton number, enabling chemical separation of the product. Fusion-based transmutation could provide a flexible and proliferation-resistant platform for supply of high-purity isotopes. A D-T neutron source operating at a few megawatts of fusion power could meet or exceed global demand for most major radioisotopes. Further research is required to develop tailored approaches for feedstock processing and product extraction.
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