Preliminary results on the production of short-lived radioisotopes with a Plasma Focus device

E Angeli; A Tartari; M Frignani; D Mostacci; F Rocchi; M Sumini

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2005.05.003

Preliminary results on the production of short-lived radioisotopes with a Plasma Focus device

Appl Radiat Isot. 2005 Nov-Dec;63(5-6):545-51. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2005.05.003. Epub 2005 Jun 27.

Authors

E Angeli¹, A Tartari, M Frignani, D Mostacci, F Rocchi, M Sumini

Affiliation

¹ Physics Department, University of Ferrara, via Paradiso 12, 44100 Ferrara, Italy.

PMID: 15985375
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2005.05.003

Abstract

An experimental campaign was conducted to assess the feasibility of short-lived radioisotope (SLR) production within the pulsed discharges of a Plasma Focus (PF) device. This so-called "endogenous production" technique rests on the exploitation of nuclear reactions for the creation of SLR directly within the plasma, rather than on irradiating an external target. Until now only one research group has published data relevant to PF endogenous production of SLR, and the data seem to confirm that the PF has the capability to breed SLR. The campaign demonstrated production of (15)O, (17)F and (13)N from the (14)N(d,n)(15)O, (12)C(d,n)(13)N and (16)O(d,n)(17)F reactions. A 7kJ, 17kV Mather-type PF was operated with natural nitrogen, oxygen, CO(2) and deuterium in the vacuum chamber. Results to date confirm that, with a PF of this type, up to 1microCi of SLRs per discharge can be obtained.