# Source term calculation and validation for ${}^{18}$F-production with a cyclotron for medical applications at HZDR

## TL;DR

This paper calculates and experimentally validates the radiation source term for ${}^{18}$F production using a cyclotron, employing Monte Carlo simulations and activation sample measurements to ensure safety and accuracy.

## Contribution

It introduces a combined simulation and experimental validation approach for source term calculation in medical cyclotron operations.

## Key findings

- Good agreement between simulation and experiment (C/E ratios 0.6-1.4)
- Validated radiation field around the water target
- Enhanced understanding of radiation safety for ${}^{18}$F production

## Abstract

In this document we present the calculation and experimental validation of a source term for ${}^{18}$F-production with a cyclotron for medical applications operating at 18 MeV proton energy and 30 $\mu$A proton current. The Monte Carlo codes MCNP6 and FLUKA were used for the calculation of the source term. In addition, the radiation field around the $^{18}$O-enriched water target was simulated with the two codes. To validate the radiation field obtained in the simulation, an experimental program has been started using activation samples which are placed close to the water target during an ${}^{18}$F-production run of the cyclotron. After the irradiation, the samples are analyzed and the resulting activation is compared to Monte Carlo calculations of the expected sample activation. We find good agreement between simulations and experimental results, with most calculation to experiment (C/E) ratios well between 0.6 and 1.4.