Preliminary results on the production of short-lived radioisotopes with a Plasma Focus device

An experimental campaign was conducted to assess the feasibility of short-lived radioisotope (SLR) production within the pulsed discharges of a Plasma Focus (PF) device. This so-called “endogenous production” technique rests on the exploitation of nuclear reactions for the creation of SLR directly within the plasma, rather than on irradiating an external target. Until now only one research group has published data relevant to PF endogenous production of SLR, and the data seem to confirm that the PF has the capability to breed SLR. The campaign demonstrated production of 15O, 17F and 13N from the 14N(d,n)15O, 12C(d,n)13N and 16O(d,n)17F reactions. A 7 kJ, 17 kV Mather-type PF was operated with natural nitrogen, oxygen, CO2 and deuterium in the vacuum chamber. Results to date confirm that, with a PF of this type, up to 1 μCi of SLRs per discharge can be obtained.