Method of producing radionuclides and apparatus therefore

Apparatus for producing a radionuclide from a horizontally-oriented beam of radiation, the apparatus comprising:

• a plate having a recessed portion wherein the recessed portion has a surface of ceramic or metal;
• a solid target nuclide;
• and
• a foil;
• wherein the solid target nuclide is located in the recessed portion and is sized so as to be encapsulated by the foil and the surface of the recessed portion, and the solid target nuclide is encapsulated by the foil and the surface of the recessed portion, such that the target nuclide is entirely surrounded by the foil and the plate, wherein the foil and the plate abut the target nuclide;
• wherein the target nuclide is not bonded to the plate and not bonded to the foil;
• wherein the foil has a melting temperature greater than the melting temperature of the target nuclide;
• the apparatus further comprising releasable means arranged to secure the foil to the plate such that the foil fixes the target nuclide to the plate in the recessed portion and the plate and the foil seal around the target nuclide.