Development of an improved target for [18F]F2 production

An Al body target with improved yields of electrophilic [18F]F2 on the Siemens/CTI 11 MeV proton cyclotron at Wisconsin has been developed. The saturation yields is 3.10 ± 0.40 GBq/μA for beam currents up to 45 μA. The target has routinely produced 20–40 GBq of [18F]F2 for clinical and experimental use over 1600 μA-h operation, with a maximum yield to date of 45.5 GBq (1.2 Ci). Target design, performance and reliability are discussed.