$^{47}$Sc production with proton beams on isotopically enriched $^{48}$Ti and $^{49}$Ti targets
Résumé
The theranostic emerging radionuclide $^{47}$Sc is under the spotlight of the scientific community due to its medically favorable decay characteristics (t$_{1/2}$ =3.3492 d, E$_{γ}$=159.381 keV, Eβ−, mean=162.0 keV) for both the diagnostic and treatment procedures. In the framework of the LaRAMED (LAboratory of RAdionuclides for MEDicine) program at INFN-LNL (National Institute of Nuclear Physics-Legnaro National Laboratories), the investigation of the possible $^{47}$Sc production routes using a 70 MeV proton beam is one of the goals of the REMIX (Research on Emerging Medical radIonuclides from the X-sections) project, funded by INFN for the years 2021-2023. Since the LARAMED bunkers are currently under completion, experiments are performed in collaboration with the GIP ARRONAX facility (Nantes, France), where a 70 MeV multi-particle cyclotron is operational. In this work, the cross-section measurements using enriched $^{48,49}$Ti targets are reported and the results presented in comparison to the previous literature data, when available. The $^{47}$Sc excitation functions are analyzed in relation to the contaminants’ ones since the co-produced radionuclides can affect the dose delivered to a patient. $^{46}$Sc cross-section curves are mainly taken into account since $^{46}$Sc cannot be chemically separated from $^{47}$Sc and its half-life (t$_{1/2}$=83.79 d) is longer than the $^{47}$Sc one (t$_{1/2}$=3.3492 d).