[en] Cyclotrons continue to be efficient accelerators for radioisotope production. In recent years, developments in the accelerator technology have greatly increased the practical beam current in these machines while also improving the overall system reliability. These developments combined with the development of new isotopes for medicine and industry, and a retiring of older machines indicates a strong future for commercial cyclotrons. In this paper we will survey recent developments in the areas of cyclotron technology, and isotope production, as they relate to the new generation of commercial cyclotrons. We will also discuss the possibility of systems capable of extracted energies up to 100 MeV and extracted beam currents of up to 2.0 mA. (author). 6 refs., 2 tabs., 3 figs

[en] A prototype high current 12 kW (400 μA at 30 MeV) solid target system for radioisotope production has been constructed for use with the new TRIUMF/EBCO TR30 cyclotron. Improvements in target body design and construction allow a surface area of 43mm x 100mm for plating target materials which are kept below 160^oC during the irradiation process. The existing 6kW system employing pneumatic transfer and remote controlled manipulation of the target and shuttle requires very few changes to incorporate this upgrade. With such increases in target current limits the potential of the new breed of cyclotrons, such as the TR30, can be more fully utilized. (author)

[en] With the introduction of a new generation of cyclotrons, capable of delivering several hundred μA of beam, the maximum rate at which commercial radioisotopes can be produced is no longer limited by the beam current, but rather by the thermal performance of the targets. At TRIUMF radioisotopes, such as ⁵⁷Co, ⁶⁷Ga, ¹¹¹In and ²⁰¹Ti, are produced with a target system in which solid target material is plated onto a water-cooled silver backing. This paper describes a detailed thermal analysis of this (6 kW) solid target system under bombardment conditions with the aim of improving the thermal performance of the present design. A significant limitation of the existing system has been identified as the thermal resistance at the cooling-water/target interface. Methods of reducing this problem have been investigated, resulting in the ability to optimize future designs of higher-current targetry

[en] Radioisotope production facilities located at TRIUMF, Vancouver, Canada, are operating two high current H^- cyclotrons: CP 42 (42 MeV) 200 μA extracted, and TR 30 (30 MeV) 400 μA extracted (dual beam). A total of four solid target stations are employed for the production of ²⁰¹Tl, ⁵⁷Co, ⁶⁷Ga, and ¹¹¹In (other liquid and gaseous targets are used for PET isotope and ¹²³I production). This paper summarizes the condition of the existing facilities and describes recent developments. In particular, a 12 kW (400 μA at 30 MeV) solid target system is under development that will maintain a surface temperature below 160^oC on plated materials and is designed such as to be an upgrade utilizing most of the existing hardware. (author) 2 figs., 1 tab., 2 refs

[en] Over the last four decades cyclotrons have been used to produce radioisotopes which have medical and commercial applications. With the gradual aging (and outdating) of many commercial cyclotrons and the tightening of personnel radiation dose limits comes new challenges particular to these commercial facilities throughout the world. TRIUMF is Canada's national cyclotron facility and houses the world's latest negative ion cyclotron. On this site are also two other compact commercial cyclotrons which are used mainly for commercial radioisotope production for MDS Nordion, a world-wide supplier of radio chemicals. The CP42 cyclotron is a 42 MeV/250μA single beam negative ion cyclotron that has been running for the past 15 years. The TR30 is dual beam (2x500 μA/30 MeV) negative ion machine installed six years ago. Together, these facilities enable us to routinely and reliably produce all of MDS Nordion's requirements without excessive personnel radiation dose to the operators

[en] In the last twenty years we have witnessed a dramatic increase in the demand for accelerator-produced radioisotopes and a corresponding increase in the beam capabilities of the new generations of commercial production cyclotrons. This paper will attempt to trace the changes in the design of external solid target systems for radioisotope production and discuss the many new challenges imposed by pushing the extracted beam currents to one milli-ampere and beyond, especially as applied in the 'MDS Nordion' facility at TRIUMF. (authors)

[en] The environment present at commercial facilities for the production of radioisotopes is usually unsuited to that required for truly innovative and cutting-edge research. At TRIUMF, however, a unique relationship exists between a federal research laboratory (TRIUMF) and a commercial producer of radioisotopes (MDS Nordion Inc.) that does allow for both of these aspects. In this partnership, the main role of TRIUMF is to operate the commercial compact cyclotrons and the associated targetry and to produce radioisotopes on the large 520-MeV main cyclotron. MDS Nordion subsequently processes and distributes the radioactive products to customers. TRIUMF's expertise in cyclotron and targetry technology is constantly being applied to improve the existing isotope production systems. Completely new cyclotron and targetry systems have also been developed for commercial radioisotope production, such as the TR30 cyclotron and its upgrade and the universal encapsulated target system for isotope production

[en] Tensor polarimeters used to spin-analyze recoiling deuterons from various reactions are becoming more common. Here we discuss the basic elements of tensor polarimeters, their uses, and the various types of devices. In particular, we focus on those employing the ³He(rvec d,p)⁴He reaction including the latest high efficiency liquid ³He device capable of simultaneously measuring all vector and tensor spin components. Finally we will examine a candidate reaction for use in high energy tensor polarimeters

[en] The use of commercial cyclotron systems for the production of radioisotopes continues to grow on a world-wide scale. Improvements in technology have significantly increased the production capabilities of modern cyclotron-based isotope production facilities. In particular, the change to negative ion acceleration and new high power systems have resulted in dramatic improvements in reliability, increases in capacity, and decreases in personnel radiation dose. As more and more older machines are retired, decisions regarding their replacement are made based on several factors including the market's potential and the cyclotron system's abilities. Taking the case of the recently upgraded TR30 cyclotron at TRIUMF/Nordion, the authors investigate the requirements industrial/medical users are likely to impose on future commercial cyclotron systems and the impact this will have on cyclotron technology by the end of the century

[en] The use of commercial cyclotron systems for the production of radioisotopes continues to grow on a world-wide scale. Improvements in technology have significantly increased the production capabilities of modem cyclotron-based isotope production facilities. In particular, the change to negative ion acceleration and new high power systems have resulted in dramatic improvements in reliability, increases in capacity, and decreases in personnel radiation dose. As more and more older machines are retired decisions regarding their replacement are made based on several factors including the market's potential and the cyclotron system's abilities. Taking the case of the recently upgraded TR30 cyclotron at TRIUMF/Nordion, we investigate the requirements industrial/medical users are likely to impose on future commercial cyclotron systems and the impact this will have on cyclotron technology by the end of the century. (author)