Theoretical novel medical isotope production with deuterium-tritium fusion technology

TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical potential of using deuterium-tritium fusion reactors to produce a variety of medical isotopes, including both existing and novel ones, through neutron irradiation.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for medical isotope production via fusion neutron spectra, comparing yields with current production methods.

Findings

Fusion could produce alpha-emitters like 212Bi/212Pb effectively.

Potential to produce 99mTc/99Mo and Auger emitters.

Fusion may outperform existing methods for isotopes like 67Cu, 90Y, and 47Sc.

Abstract

Background: The emergence and growth of fusion technology enables investigative studies into its applications beyond typical power production facilities. This study seeks to determine the viability of medical isotope production with the neutrons produced in an example large fusion device. Using FISPACT-II (a nuclear inventory code) and a simulated fusion spectrum, the production yields of a significant number of potentially clinically relevant (both in use and novel) medical isotopes were calculated. Comparative calculations were also conducted against existing production routes. Results: Depending on the neutron flux of the fusion device, it could be an ideal technology to produce alpha-emitters such as 212Bi/212Pb, it may be able to contribute to the production of 99mTc/99Mo, and could offer an alternative route in the production a few Auger-emitting candidates. There is also a long list of beta-emitting nuclides where fusion technology may be best placed to produce over existing technologies including 67Cu, 90Y and 47Sc. Conclusions: It is theoretically viable to produce existing and novel medical isotopes with fusion technology. However, a significant number of assumptions form the basis of this study which would need to be studied further for any particular nuclide of interest.