Radioisotope research and development at the Linear Accelerator of the Institute for Nuclear Research of RAS

Abstract Radioisotope research at the linear accelerator of INR RAS has been developing since 1989. In 1992, a facility for the irradiation of isotope targets and radioisotope production was built, operating on a diverted proton beam with an energy of 160 MeV and a current of more than 120 μA, which was the most productive facility in the world at that time. The facility is used for both fundamental and applied research. The main focus is the study of the processes of the generation and recovery of medical radioisotopes, as well as the development of technology for their production. The main radionuclides produced now are strontium-82 and actinium-225. A Russian 82 Sr/ 82 Rb generator for PET-diagnostics has been developed by INR RAS and is being introduced for medicine. New types of 225 Ac/ 213 Bi generators are also being developed for the treatment of oncological diseases. In addition, the study of the process for the production and chemical recovery of medical radionuclides 117mSn, 68 Ge, 72 Se, 64, 67 Cu, 223 Ra, 230 Pa, and 230 U is being carried out, as is the study of some generators with some of these isotopes. The technology developed at INR is used in Russia and abroad. Physical processes of proton interaction with different nuclei are also investigated in the laboratory of the radioisotope complex of INR RAS. The produced 22 Na, 83 Rb, 109 Cd, and radioactive sources with these radionuclides are used in physical research and technology.