(232)Th(d,4n)(230)Pa cross-section measurements at ARRONAX facility for the production of (230)U.
BACKGROUND
(226)Th (T1/2=31 min) is a promising therapeutic radionuclide since results, published in 2009, showed that it induces leukemia cells death and activates apoptosis pathways with higher efficiencies than (213)Bi. (226)Th can be obtained via the (230)U α decay. This study focuses on the (230)U production using the (232)Th(d,4n)(230)Pa(β-)(230)U reaction.


METHODS
Experimental cross sections for deuteron-induced reactions on (232)Th were measured from 30 down to 19 MeV using the stacked-foil technique with beams provided by the ARRONAX cyclotron. After irradiation, all foils (targets as well as monitors) were measured using a high-purity germanium detector.


RESULTS
Our new (230)Pa cross-section values, as well as those of (232)Pa and (233)Pa contaminants created during the irradiation, were compared with previous measurements and with results given by the TALYS code. Experimentally, same trends were observed with slight differences in orders of magnitude mainly due to the nuclear data change. Improvements are ongoing about the TALYS code to better reproduce the data for deuteron-induced reactions on (232)Th.


CONCLUSIONS
Using our cross-section data points from the (232)Th(d,4n)(230)Pa reaction, we have calculated the thick-target yield of (230)U, in Bq/μA·h. This value allows now to a full comparison between the different production routes, showing that the proton routes must be preferred.
Subatech, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS/IN2P3, Nantes, France. Electronic address: Charlotte.Duchemin@subatech.in2p3.fr.
C
C
Duchemin
Subatech, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS/IN2P3, Nantes, France.
A
A
Guertin
Subatech, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS/IN2P3, Nantes, France; GIP Arronax, 1 rue Aronnax, 44817 Saint-Herblain, France.
F
F
Haddad
Subatech, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS/IN2P3, Nantes, France; GIP Arronax, 1 rue Aronnax, 44817 Saint-Herblain, France.
N
N
Michel
Subatech, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS/IN2P3, Nantes, France.
V
V
Métivier
D011478:Protactinium / Q000737:chemistry*; D011854:Radiochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013910:Thorium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014501:Uranium / Q000737:chemistry*
D011478:Protactinium; D014501:Uranium; D013910:Thorium
ARRONAX cyclotron; Alpha-targeted therapy; Production cross section; Stacked-foil technique; TALYS code; Thick-target yield (TTY)