Embedded D-³He Fusion Reactions and Medical Isotope Production in an Inertial Electrostatic Confinement Device

The high-energy 14.7 MeV protons generated from the D-³He fusion reaction can be used to produce medical radioisotopes. Steady-state D-³He operation is possible using Inertial Electrostatic Confinement (IEC); however, the location of the reactions must be known to use them effectively for isotope production. In the University of Wisconsin IEC Device, it has been found that as much as 2/3 of the total D-³He reaction rate can be due to embedded fusion reactions, reactions occurring within the cathode due to ion implantation. Therefore, the cathode surface sees a large, high-energy proton flux. Using a solid molybdenum cathode, and taking advantage of the embedded reactions, about 1 nCi of the medical isotope ^94mTc was created via ⁹⁴Mo(p,n)^94mTc in a proof of principle experiment. This represents the first time the IEC concept has been used to produce a radioisotope using D-³He fusion.