METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR THE MASS PRODUCTION OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

Systems and methods mass produce radioactive materials and structures, such as stents. A three-dimensional array of targets (16) is disposed in a beam path of an electron beam emitted from a source thereof (e.g., a linear accelerator (12)). A bremsstrahlung converter (14) is interposed between the array of targets and the source of the electron beam so as to convert the electron beam to an irradiating beam which contains both electrons and photons. The electrons in the irradiating beam may be divergently directed away from the beam path (e.g., by magnetic sweepers (26)) and along a divergent path so that the targets are irradiated predominantly by photons. Furthermore, the electron beam can be conditioned (focussed) by means of magnetic stirring coils (34) positioned upstream of the converter. The bremsstrahlung converter (14) is most preferably provided by a plurality of individual converters which differ from one another in terms of their thickness and/or high Z material. One or more of these individual converters (14) may thus be interposed in the beam path as may be desired in dependence upon the targets (16) to be irradiated.