Production of [sup 90]Y by the [sup 90]Zr (n,p)[sup 90]Y reaction using neutrons produced from a variable energy cyclotron.

Traditionally, [sup 90]Y obtained from a [sup 90]Sr/[sup 90]Y generator contains a small concentration of [sup 90]Sr (range: 1μCi [sup 90]Sr/100mCi to 1 Ci [sup 90]Y) and due to the 28.78 y half-life of [sup 90]Sr, special waste handling and storage is required. In this study, the medical isotope [sup 90]Y has been produced by an alternate method using the [sup 90]Zr(n,p)[sup 90]Y reaction. Neutrons for the activation process were produced using [sup nat]Rh(p,xn) reaction with a 27 MeV proton beam from a cyclotron. Since [sup 90]Y is a pure beta emitter, the gamma rays from the [sup 90]Zr(n,2n)[sup 89]Zr reaction were used to quantify the incident neutron flux on the [sup 90]Zr sample. Experimental results of the neutron production and [sup 90]Y activity are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]