A heavy-ion production channel of 149Tb via 63Cu bombardment of 89Y

The radionuclide 149Tb (t1/2 = 4.1 h) is a potential theranostic isotope which can simultaneously be used for targeted-alpha-particle therapy and positron-emission tomography. Feasibility experiments were performed to test a near-symmetric heavy-ion reaction of 63Cu bombardment on monoisotopic 89Y. The indirect reaction was studied to avoid isomer production. Offline gamma spectroscopy was used to quantify thick-target physical yields and experimental results show modest agreement to the fusion-evaporation code PACE4. A near-symmetric fission yield was also observed. •Indirect heavy-ion reactions were investigated for the production of 149Tb.•Gamma spectroscopy was used to quantify thick-target physical yields.•PACE4 fusion-evaporation predictions show modest agreement to experimental results.•A near-symmetric fission yield was observed for the compound nucleus 152Er.