The present invention provides a target unit and a sublimation apparatus suitable for use in a method for producing Cu67 radioisotope suitable for use in medical applications. The apparatus comprises a sublimation tube with one open end. The sublimation tube contains an ingot comprising Zn68 and Cu67 in a ceramic capsule contacting a closed end the sublimation tube. A removable vacuum dome is sealable over the open end of the sublimation tube so that interior of the apparatus can be placed under vacuum.

The present invention provides a target unit and a sublimation apparatus suitable for use in a method for producing Cu67 radioisotope suitable for use in medical applications. The apparatus comprises a sublimation tube with one open end. The sublimation tube contains an ingot comprising Zn68 and Cu67 in a ceramic capsule contacting a closed end the sublimation tube. A removable vacuum dome is sealable over the open end of the sublimation tube so that interior of the apparatus can be placed under vacuum.

A radioisotope production apparatus (RI) comprising an electron source arranged to provide an electron beam (E). The electron source comprises an electron injector (10) and an electron accelerator (20). The radioisotope production apparatus (RI) further comprises a target support structure configured to hold a target (30) and a beam splitter (40) arranged to direct the a first portion of the electron beam along a first path towards a first side of the target (30) and to direct a second portion of the electron beam along a second path towards a second side of the target (30).

A radioisotope production apparatus (RI) comprising an electron source arranged to provide an electron beam (E). The electron source comprises an electron injector (10) and an electron accelerator (20). The radioisotope production apparatus (RI) further comprises a target support structure configured to hold a target (30) and a beam splitter (40) arranged to direct the a first portion of the electron beam along a first path towards a first side of the target (30) and to direct a second portion of the electron beam along a second path towards a second side of the target (30).

A combined enrichment and radioisotope production apparatus comprising an electron source arranged to provide an electron beam, the electron source comprising an electron injector and an accelerator, an undulator configured to generate a radiation beam using the electron beam, a molecular stream generator configured to provide a stream of molecules which is intersected by the radiation beam, a receptacle configured to receive molecules or ions selectively received from the stream of molecules, and a target support structure configured to hold a target upon which the electron beam is incident in use.

A combined enrichment and radioisotope production apparatus comprising an electron source arranged to provide an electron beam, the electron source comprising an electron injector and an accelerator, an undulator configured to generate a radiation beam using the electron beam, a molecular stream generator configured to provide a stream of molecules which is intersected by the radiation beam, a receptacle configured to receive molecules or ions selectively received from the stream of molecules, and a target support structure configured to hold a target upon which the electron beam is incident in use.

Methods of synthesizing nanoparticles of an isotope using a laser beam are described herein. The methods include generating the laser beam, directing the laser beam to the target to convert the target into a plasma state, and bombarding the target in the plasma state with the laser beam to maintain the target in the plasma state and synthesize the nanoparticles of the isotope. During bombarding the target in the plasma state with the laser beam, the laser beam is configured to have a pulse frequency and peak laser intensity that accelerates electrons in the plasma state and maintains the plasma state at a temperature high enough to provide for the synthesis of the nanoparticles of the isotope. Apparatuses for synthesizing nanoparticles of an isotope using a laser beam are also described herein.

Methods of synthesizing nanoparticles of an isotope using a laser beam are described herein. The methods include generating the laser beam, directing the laser beam to the target to convert the target into a plasma state, and bombarding the target in the plasma state with the laser beam to maintain the target in the plasma state and synthesize the nanoparticles of the isotope. During bombarding the target in the plasma state with the laser beam, the laser beam is configured to have a pulse frequency and peak laser intensity that accelerates electrons in the plasma state and maintains the plasma state at a temperature high enough to provide for the synthesis of the nanoparticles of the isotope. Apparatuses for synthesizing nanoparticles of an isotope using a laser beam are also described herein.

A system for converting an electron beam into a photon beam includes an electron accelerator configured for generating an electron beam of accelerated electrons along an irradiation axis (Z); a scanning unit; a focusing unit for forming a focused beam converging towards a first focusing point (Fx) located on the irradiation axis (Z); a converting unit located between the focusing unit and the first focusing point (Fx), and comprising one or more bremsstrahlung converters, configured for converting the focused beam into a photon beam, wherein the one or more bremsstrahlung converters are curved such that the focused beam intersects each of the one or more bremsstrahlung converters with an intersecting angle comprised between 65° and 115° at all points, preferably between 75° and 105° at all points; and a target holder configured for holding a target.

A system for converting an electron beam into a photon beam includes an electron accelerator configured for generating an electron beam of accelerated electrons along an irradiation axis (Z); a scanning unit; a focusing unit for forming a focused beam converging towards a first focusing point (Fx) located on the irradiation axis (Z); a converting unit located between the focusing unit and the first focusing point (Fx), and comprising one or more bremsstrahlung converters, configured for converting the focused beam into a photon beam, wherein the one or more bremsstrahlung converters are curved such that the focused beam intersects each of the one or more bremsstrahlung converters with an intersecting angle comprised between 65° and 115° at all points, preferably between 75° and 105° at all points; and a target holder configured for holding a target.