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@INPROCEEDINGS{Shabani:1027077,
author = {Shabani, Doruntin and Langer, Christoph and Mauerhofer,
Eric and Gutberlet, Thomas},
title = {{I}nvestigation of the 99{M}o production via neutron
capture 98{M}o(n,γ)99{M}o with a high-current
accelerator-based neutron source},
reportid = {FZJ-2024-03629},
year = {2024},
abstract = {The demand for 99mTc, the most widely used radioisotope in
medical imaging, is steadilyincreasing, with approximately
$80\%$ of all nuclear medicine procedures relying on it [1].
Theprecursor, 99Mo, is primarily produced through the
fission of 235U in high neutron flux reactors[2]. This poses
challenges in supply chain disruptions and radioactive waste
management andas aging reactors face potential shutdowns,
alternative production methods become crucial.This study
explores an alternative approach to 99Mo production
utilizing a high-currentaccelerator-based neutron source, as
proposed in the ambitious HBS (Jülich High
BrillianceSource) project [3]. The method involves the (n,
γ) reaction with fast neutrons generated by70 MeV protons
interacting with a tantalum target, moderated in water and
reflected by lead.Numerical simulations, employing the PHITS
code, investigate various target parametersand proton beam
currents while limiting the target power density to 3
kW/cm2.Compared to traditional methods, this
accelerator-based neutron source offers potentialadvantages,
such as simplified processing schemes and reduced
radioactive waste. The studyassesses the thermal and
epithermal neutron flux, crucial for 99Mo activity,
considering differenttarget and molybdenum plates' surfaces
and thicknesses. Analytical methods,
incorporatingcorrections for thermal and epithermal neutron
self-shielding, complement the simulationresults.As current
reactor-based 99Mo production faces challenges, especially
in regions like Germanywith substantial demand [4], the
pursuit of alternative, sustainable methods gains
significance.The ongoing developments in accelerator-based
technologies, exemplified by theHBS project, signify a
promising avenue for securing the supply of critical medical
isotopes,addressing both efficiency and waste management
concerns. This work contributes valuableinsights into the
feasibility and optimization of 99Mo production through
accelerator-basedneutron sources, paving the way for future
advancements in medical radioisotope
productiontechnology.AcknowledgmentsThis work is supported
by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research
(BMBF) underGrant No. 02NUK080B.References1. NEA (2019),
“The Supply of Medical Radioisotopes: 2019 Medical Isotope
Demand and CapacityProjection for the 2019–2024 Period”,
OECD Publishing, Paris.2. Jaroszewicz J, Marcinkowska Z,
Pytel K (2014) Production of fission product 99Mo using
highenricheduranium plates in Polish nuclear research
reactor MARIA: Technology and neutronicanalysis. Nukleonika
59(2):43–52.3. Brückel, T., $\&$ Gutberlet, T., et al.
(2023), Technical Design Report HBS Volume 2 – Target
stationsand moderators, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH4.
Deutscher Bundestag, Drucksache 17/3142, 2010.},
month = {May},
date = {2024-05-05},
organization = {International Conference on Modern
Trends in Activation Analysis, MERCURE
BUDA CASTLE HILL BUDAPEST (Hungary), 5
May 2024 - 10 May 2024},
subtyp = {Invited},
cin = {JCNS-2 / JCNS-HBS / JARA-FIT},
cid = {I:(DE-Juel1)JCNS-2-20110106 / I:(DE-Juel1)JCNS-HBS-20180709
/ $I:(DE-82)080009_20140620$},
pnm = {632 - Materials – Quantum, Complex and Functional
Materials (POF4-632) / 6G4 - Jülich Centre for Neutron
Research (JCNS) (FZJ) (POF4-6G4)},
pid = {G:(DE-HGF)POF4-632 / G:(DE-HGF)POF4-6G4},
typ = {PUB:(DE-HGF)6},
url = {https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/1027077},
}