Physicists have discovered a new use for "leftover" gamma radiation produced by electron accelerators, leveraging it to generate radioactive isotopes for cancer diagnosis and treatment. This innovative technique utilizes bremsstrahlung from an accelerator facility to trigger nuclear reactions in zinc foil, producing copper isotopes that are typically difficult and costly to manufacture through conventional means. The isotopes, specifically 64Cu and 67Cu, offer potential advantages in precision targeting of tumors, where one isotope aids in imaging while the other delivers therapeutic radiation. Research led by Mamad Eslami from the University of York successfully tested this method at the Mainz Microtron in Germany, demonstrating that these isotopes can be produced without disrupting existing experiments, with enough yield for medical applications achievable in about five days. The team plans to explore further applications of this technique at other high-energy electron accelerators and innovative laser-plasma sources, potentially revolutionizing the production of medical isotopes and enhancing nuclear medicine affordability and efficiency. Their findings are documented in Physical Review C.
Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:00:00 GMT | Physics World