11CH4 molecule production using a NaBH4 target for 11C ion acceleration

Abstract

Solid-state materials suitable for use as proton irradiation targets were investigated for producing high-purity (11)CH4 molecules for heavy-ion cancer therapy. The radioactivity of gas produced by proton irradiation was measured for several target materials. Also, the radioactive molecular species of the produced gas were analyzed by radio gas chromatography. We found that 5 × 10(12) (11)C molecules could be collected by proton irradiation on a NaBH4 target. We also found that the (11)CH4 molecules were produced and collected directly from the irradiated target, owing to the hydrogen atoms bound in the solid-state NaBH4.

Monte Carlo simulation of small OpenPET prototype with11C beam irradiation: effects of secondary particles on in-beam imaging

“…Studies on obtaining 11 C beams accelerated directly though the HIMAC accelerator are being carried out (Hojo et al 2005), instead of using the projectile fragmentation method. The expected intensity is comparable to the value of clinical use (∼10 9 ) by improvements of target materials and the production system of 11 C gas (Katagiri et al 2012). The beam extraction (spill) has a period of 3.3 s, with spill duration of about 1.9 s. The remaining time (1.4 s) is a pause for the next beam injection.…”

A simple algorithm for beam profile diagnostics using a thermographic camera

“…From these factors, this diagnostic system using the developed algorithm is expected to be employed in cyclotron accelerator facilities, especially for radioisotope production. 11,12 …”

A porous hexagonal boron nitride powder compact for the production and release of radioactive 11C

“…purity, energy and emittance) to the patient. Noteworthy are the ∼ 1 • 10 8 ions/s, 120 MeV u −1 post-accelerated 11 C 6+ RIB, provided already two decades ago in the BEARS project at LBNL [7], which is however too low in energy and not implementable into existing hadron therapy centers, and the extensive research on 11 C-based hadron therapy carried out at NIRS [8][9][10][11].…”

“…Boron-comprising targets are prominent because of the high nuclear reaction cross section 11 B(p,n) 11 C, enabling increased in-target production yields. Other examples are NaBH 4 and B 2 O 3 targets [9,16], developed for 11 C production and extraction in form of 11 CH 4 and 11 CO 2 , respectively, where the release is likewise achieved by target heating, i.e. thermo-physical release of the generated 11 C. A limiting factor of these two materials is the low melting point, 400 and 450 • C, respectively, constraining the applicable primary proton beam intensity, and therefore the production yield.…”