3He-particle-induced reactions on natSb for production of 124I

Excitation functions of the reactions natSb(3He,xn)124,123,121I were measured from their respective thresholds up to 35 MeV, with particular emphasis on data for the production of the medically important radionuclide 124I. The conventional stacked-foil technique was used. From the experimental data the theoretical yields of the three investigated radionuclides were calculated. The yield of 124I over the energy range E3He=35→13MeV amounts to 0.95 MBq/μA h. The radionuclidic impurities are discussed. A comparison of 3He- and α-particle-induced reactions on antimony for production of 124I is given. The α-particle-induced reaction on enriched 121Sb and the 3He-particle-induced reaction on enriched 123Sb would lead to comparable 124I yields, but the level of impurities in the latter case would be somewhat higher.