UC Berkeley

The Auger-emitting radionuclides Sn-117m and Sb-119 are promising candidates for a number of both combined therapeutic and diagnostic treatments. Pre-clinical and clinical trials have demonstrated success in treating small mass tumors, osteoarthritis, and palliative care in treating bone metastases. However, limited reaction measurements exist for their production. To address this, a Tri-Laboratory Effort in Nuclear Data collaboration between Brookhaven National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (TREND) measured production cross sections for these isotopes via proton- induced reactions on natSb. This experimental data provides cross section measurements for for Sn-117m and Te-119m, the latter of which is a generator for Sb-119. This data can inform production of these radionuclides for medical applications.This dissertation offers 24 supplementary experimental natSb(p,x) reaction channels for incident proton energies up to 200 MeV as well as 54 measurements on monitor foils – natNb, natCu, and natTi. Large experimental datasets like this provide an opportunity to explore the theory and existing capabilities to model charged particle nuclear reactions. Using TALYS 1.95, 40 base parameters were explored and adjusted to match experimental data, with over 12,000 calculations performed. Comparative results favor a phenomenological model for nuclear level density. Data also suggests that a reduction in the width of the angular momentum distribution is necessary. as measured in the isomer-to-ground-state ratio for neighboring Odd-A Te isotopes, Te-119 and Te-121. Adjustments to the pre-equilibrium model for residual nucleon-nucleon interactions and modifications to the imaginary volume potential well in the optical model improved fit for the largest reaction channels – specifically for natSb(p,xn) channels. In addition to providing data for proton-induced reactions, this dissertation provides indications of secondary neutron-induced reactions produced by high-energy proton reactions across stacked target measurements. This underscores the complexities and highlights the need for further research on the impact of neutron flux in stacked target experiments. In addition to the fundamental science component of this thesis, a brief overview of the feasibility of commercial production of these radionuclides is discussed. This section highlights economic considerations for commercialization by reviewing case studies and the main requirements for setting up a cyclotron radiopharmacy.