Targetry for accelerator production of radionuclides varies widely depending on a number of key aspects such as the half-life, quantity and purity of the radionuclide produced, and the primary beam particle, energy and intensity.  For example, low energy accelerator targets (&lt;30 MeV) are distinctly different in design from those used at higher energy facilities (&gt;60 MeV), with each energy presenting unique challenges.<br/>The 100 MeV Isotope Production Facility (IPF) at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the 200 MeV Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer (BLIP) are two accelerator-based facilities used by the DOE National Isotope Program for radionuclide production, providing large quantities of isotopes to the domestic and international communities for application in science, medicine and industry. They are two of only eight intermediate energy production facilities worldwide and often operate with record breaking beam intensities on target.<br/>Large-scale production requires targets able to consistently withstand extremely high power densities, heat fluxes and peak temperatures. To maintain a reliable supply of a variety of radionuclides, targetry must support the irradiation of diverse target materials.  While a few targets can be fabricated from durable metals with suitably high thermal conductivities and melting points, most target materials have non-ideal to very poor thermal performance characteristics, or they react with cooling water, requiring containment in robust capsules. <br/>To meet the diverse needs of the user community, production is supported by dynamic R&D programs and, given their powerful proton beams, IPF and BLIP play a lead role globally in pushing the envelope of high power accelerator targets. Recent focus at both facilities has been on expanding capabilities to further increase Sr-82 production and to develop production of Ac-225, a radionuclide with therapeutic potential.  This presentation will provide an overview of the principles of high power targetry with an emphasis on recent developments.

High power accelerator targets for large scale production of radionuclides at intermediate energies

256th National Meeting (2018)

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