Methods for the Production of Radionuclides for Medicine

Nuclear reactions involve the interaction of particles or photons with the nuclei of target atoms, resulting in the production of radioactive atoms that can be used in medicine for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. The guiding principles and methods for the production of radionuclides are explored in this chapter, with a focus on reactor- and accelerator-based approaches. With a few exceptions, nuclear reactors are used to produce neutron-rich nuclides that are primarily of interest for therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Cyclotrons, in contrast, are generally used to create proton-rich nuclides, which are of interest for diagnostic purposes. Additionally, generator-based systems and photonuclear production methods are discussed briefly as well. Included in this chapter are the practical considerations made when designing targets for radionuclide production as well as simple tools used for predictive modeling of target behavior. Innovations in target materials and production methods have led to a wide range of possibilities for the development of new and exotic radionuclides, creating a framework for a well-equipped toolbox of radiopharmaceuticals.