Radiochemical Aspects of Proton Accelerator Radioisotope Production

A variety of radioisotopes with different nuclear properties can be generated via proton beam activation of suitable target materials. Such radioisotopes play an important role in nuclear medicine, nuclear forensics and environmental research. Experimental planning involves nuclear reaction evaluation, target material selection, particle energy adjustment and the design of hot cell tailored chemical recovery and purification procedures. Three recent isotope development projects, radioarsenic, radiorhenium bulk manufacturing and the production of therapy alpha emitters along with associated activation and fission products, are introduced to serve as instructive examples for the illustration of the radiochemical facets associated with radionuclide formation, recovery and purification.