Excitation functions of 124Te(d,xn)124,125I reactions from threshold up to 14 MeV:: comparative evaluation of nuclear routes for the production of 124I

Excitation functions of the nuclear reactions Te-124(d,xn)I-124,I-125 were measured from their respective thresholds up to 14.0 MeV via the stacked-foil technique. Thin samples were prepared by electrolytic deposition of 99.8% enriched 124 Te on Ti-backing. The excitation function of the Te-124(d,n)I-125 reaction was measured for the first time. The present data for the Te-124(d,2n)I-124 reaction are by an order of magnitude higher than the literature experimental data but are in good agreement with the results of a hybrid model calculation. From the measured cross sections, integral yields of I-124,I-125 were calculated, The energy range E-d= 14 --> 10 MeV appears to be the best compromise between I-124- yield and I-125-impurity. The calculated I-124-yield amounts to 17.5 MBq/muA h and the I-125-impurity to 1.7%. A critical evaluation of the three nuclear routes for the production of I-124, viz Te-124(d,2n)-, Te-124(p,n)- and Te-125(p,2n)-processes, is given. The reaction studied in this work proved to be least suitable. The Te-124(p,n)-reaction gives I-124 of the highest radionuclidic purity, and a small-sized cyclotron is adequate for production purposes. The Te-125(p,2n)-reaction is more suitable at a medium-sized cyclotron: the yield of I-124 is four times higher than in the other two reactions but the level of 0.9% I-125-impurity is relatively high. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.