Experiences in the routine production of123I via the124Te(p, 2n)123I reaction with a low energy cyclotron

This paper deals with the results and experimental observations obtained in routine production of¹²³I via¹²⁴Te(p, 2n)¹²³I reaction, using the low energy cyclotron (protons, E_max=22 MeV) at the German Cancer Research Center in Heidelberg. The reaction was studied during the past 4 years using¹²⁴TeO₂ targets with various levels of enrichment. The purpose of the study was to determine which target material provided the highest quality and most economical production of¹²³I. A viable routine production was defined as one in which¹²³I could be conveniently and reproducably prepared in reasonable purity while maintaining a low cost for the entire process. Different methods of sublimation of¹²³I activity from the¹²⁴TeO₂ target were examined to determine the optimal conditions for recovery of radioactivity and recycling of target material. A rapid method is described which permits quantitative separation of¹²³I while allowing only a negligible loss of¹²⁴TeO₂.