Ge-68/Ga-68 production revisited: excitation curves, target preparation and chemical separation – purification

Targets withstanding high beam power for production of Ge-68 by proton irradiation of Ga were developed using electrodeposition of Ga/Ni alloy (70/30%) on thick Cu backings. Cross sections for reactions, induced by protons (up to 36 MeV) and deuterons (up to 50 MeV), producing gamma-emitting radioisotopes with half-lives longer than 2 h were measured in a stacked-foil irradiation using thin Ga/Ni targets produced with this technique. Excitation functions for Ge-68,Ge-69 are discussed, relative to the monitor reactions Cu-nat(p, x)Zn-62 or Al-nat(d, x)Na-24,Na-22. The results are compared to the scarce literature values. From derived thick target yields, optimal energy domain and batch yields for Ge-68 production were calculated and contamination (from Ge-69 and Ge-71) is discussed.

A PC-controlled, automated dissolution and separation chemistry set-up for delivery of nca Ge-69 was developed (yield about 90%) and implemented in an industrial system ready to be mounted in a hot cell.