The upgrade of AVF cyclotron and the RI production beam line at RCNP, Osaka University

Abstract

The Research Center for Nuclear Physics, Osaka University has been operated the K140 AVF cyclotron for the nuclear physics, nuclear medicine, semiconductor engineering, and radioisotope production. Aiming for more than 10 times increase of its beam intensity, we shut down the cyclotron in 2019 and carried out the upgrade works. For handling of the intensity increased beams, we also upgraded and renovated the facilities including radiation shielding and beam line apparatuses. One most important upgrade is the radioisotope production beam line. It is designed to handle intense α beam with energy of 29 MeV for the mass production of ²¹¹At via ²⁰⁹Bi(α, 2n)²¹¹At reaction. The ²¹¹At-labeled medicine is studied and developed for the targeted alpha therapy in Japan and its first clinical test is scheduled in 2021 at the Osaka University Hospital. The upgrade works at RCNP will finish in the spring in 2021. The intensity-upgraded beam will be available in the middle of 2021 for the supply of mass-produced ²¹¹At to be used in the clinical test.