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 ${}^{32}$P, ${}^{60}$Co, ${}^{64}$Cu, ${}^{89}$Sr, ${}^{90}$Y, ${}^{89}$Zr, ${}^{99}$Mo/${}^{99\mathrm{m}}$Tc, ${}^{103}$Pd, ${}^{111}$In, ${}^{117}$In/${}^{117\mathrm{m}1}$Sn, ${}^{123}$I, ${}^{125}$I, ${}^{131}$I, ${}^{133}$Xe, ${}^{153}$Sm, ${}^{166}$Ho, ${}^{177}$Lu, ${}^{188}$Re, and ${}^{192}$Ir-and emerging isotopes such as ${}^{47}$Sc, ${}^{67}$Cu, ${}^{103}$Ru/${}^{103\mathrm{m}}$Rh, ${}^{103}$Pd/${}^{103\mathrm{m}}$Rh, ${}^{119}$Sb, ${}^{124}$I, ${}^{155}$Tb, ${}^{161}$Tb, ${}^{195\mathrm{m}1}$Ir/${}^{195\mathrm{m}}$Pt, and ${}^{225}$Ac 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.

10 pages, 6 figures