First production of the medical radionuclide 103Pd from 99Tc and determination of the 99Tc(7Li,3n)103Pd nuclear reaction cross-sections between 20 and 34 MeV

Abstract 103 Pd is a possible candidate for radiation therapy using Auger-Meitner electrons. The cross-sections of the 99 Tc( 7 Li,3n) 103 Pd nuclear reaction were measured for the first time in the energy range from 20 to 34 MeV using the 10 MV FN-Tandem Accelerator at the Institute of Nuclear Physics, University of Cologne. The 99 Tc target was prepared by electrodeposition of ammonium pertechnetate onto gold foil. The thickness of the technetium layer was determined by Rutherford backscattering (RBS). The number of produced 103 Pd nuclei was quantified with the HORUS setup by measuring prompt γ-rays emitted from excited 103 Pd nuclei in parallel to irradiation (in-beam γ-ray spectroscopy). The maximum of the excitation function was found at an energy of 30 MeV. At higher projectile energies, contributions from the competing 99 Tc( 7 Li,4n) 102 Pd reaction channel are likely to affect the observed cross-sections.