Photonuclear production and radiochemical separation of medically relevant radionuclides: .sup.67Cu

Production of medical radionuclide .sup.67Cu by the irradiation of Zn of natural isotopic composition by bremsstrahlung photons of maximum energy of 55 MeV was studied. Production yields of .sup.67Cu and other activation products were determined. The yield of .sup.67Cu is (2.34 ± 0.07) x 10.sup.5 Bq/([mu]A h g/cm.sup.2) at EOB. The experimental data were compared with the results of other experiments and theoretical calculations based on the statistical model in the TALYS software and on the combined model of photonuclear reactions. Technique of chemical separation of .sup.67Cu from irradiated zinc target based on extraction chromatography using CU Resin was applied. Radiochemical yield was > 95%, separation time was 1 h. The possibility of production of medical quantities was discussed.