Systematic Study of Technetium Production by Proton-Induced Reactions on Molybdenum

Recent shortages in the world-wide supply of $^{\mathrm{99m}}$Tc have sparked interest in developing alternative production methods which do not rely on fission based $^{99}$Mo. The direct production of $^{\mathrm{99m}}$Tc from proton induced reactions on enriched $^{100}$Mo targets is one such approach. With this approach, $^{\mathrm{99m}}$Tc must be chemically extracted from the irradiated target and therefore radiopharmaceuticals will contain a mixture of all Tc-species produced from the proton bombardment. Commercial viability of cyclotron-produced $^{\mathrm{99m}}$Tc will depend on a number of factors including, production yield, radiochemical purity, and specific activity. Reactions on trace impurities in the targets has been shown to impact these factors dramatically. Precise cross-section measurements for not just the main reaction, $^{\mathrm{99m}}$Tc(p,2n), but for all Mo + p reactions that lead to Tc or Mo species are required for proper assessment of this $^{\mathrm{99m}}$Tc production technique. We will introduce a systematic study of proton-induced reactions on 92, 94-98, 100 Mo currently being performed at the University of Notre Dame. First results of $^{96}$Mo + p reactions will be presented.