A simple thick target for production of 89Zr using an 11Â MeV cyclotron

The growing interest but limited availability of 89Zr for PET led us to test targets for the 89Y(p,n) reaction. The goal was an easily constructed target for an 11 MeV Siemens cyclotron. Yttrium foils were tested at different thicknesses, angles and currents. A 90° foil tolerated 41 µA without damage and produced ~800 MBq/h, >20 mCi, an amount adequate for radiochemistry research and human doses in a widely available accelerator. This method should translate to higher energy cyclotrons.