Formation of short-lived positron emitters in reactions of protons of energies up to 200 MeV with the target elements carbon, nitrogen and oxygen

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes Vol. 60; no. 6; pp. 939 - 945
• Main Authors: Kettern, K., Shubin, Yu.N., Steyn, G.F., van der Walt, T.N., Coenen, H.H., Qaim, S.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2004
• Subjects: Carbon Radioisotopes - analysis; Electrons; Excitation function; Nitrogen Radioisotopes - analysis; Nuclear model calculation; Oxygen Radioisotopes - analysis; Positron emitters 11C, 13N; Proton induced reaction; Reproducibility of Results; Proton induced reaction; Positron emitters 11C, 13N; Nuclear model calculation; Excitation function
• ISSN: 0969-8043; 1872-9800
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2004.02.007

Excitation functions were measured by the stacked-foil technique for proton induced reactions on carbon, nitrogen and oxygen leading to the formation of the short-lived positron emitters 11C ( T 1/2=20.38 min) and 13N ( T 1/2=9.96 min). The energy region covered extended up to 200 MeV. The product activity was measured non-destructively via γ-ray spectrometry. A careful decay curve analysis of the positron annihilation radiation was invariably performed. The experimental results were compared with theoretical data obtained using the modified hybrid nuclear model code ALICE-IPPE for intermediate energies. The agreement was found to be generally satisfactory. The data are of importance in proton therapy.