Cross-section measurements of the nuclear reactions natZn(d,x)64Cu, 66Zn(d,α)64Cu and 68Zn(p,αn)64Cu for production of 64Cu and technical developments for small-scale production of 67Cu via the 70Zn(p,α)67Cu process

The radionuclides 64Cu (T1/2=12.7 h) and 67Cu (T1/2=61.9 h) are useful in internal therapy. In connection with production of 64Cu, excitation functions of the reactions natZn(d,x)64Cu, 66Zn(d,α)64Cu and 68Zn(p,αn)64Cu were measured radiochemically using the stacked-foil technique. From the measured data, the thick target yields of 64Cu were calculated and compared with experimental data available in the literature. The three investigated processes are discussed in comparison to the commonly used 64Ni(p,n)64Cu reaction for the production of 64Cu. As regards 67Cu production, the technical feasibility of the 70Zn(p,α)67Cu process was investigated. An electroplated isotopically enriched 70Zn target was developed which can withstand slanting beams of 20 MeV protons of currents up to 20 μA. Methods for chemical separation of 67Cu and efficient recovery of the enriched target material were worked out. The method is suitable only for small-scale production of 67Cu.