Process and targets for production of no-carrier-added radiotin

A target for producing no-carrier added radioactive tin (NCA radiotin), the target comprising an irradiated block metallic antimony sample, and a shell hermetically encapsulating the sample, the shell having an inlet window and an outlet window for irradiation of the target by a beam of accelerated particles, the shell rendered substantially resistant to interaction with antimony and the shell comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, metallic molybdenum, and hard non-porous graphite.

No-carrier added radioactive tin (NCA radiotin) produced by

• irradiating a target comprising a metallic antimony block sample with at least a 10 μA high intensity beam of accelerated protons, the sample encapsulated by a hermetic shell comprising a material substantially resistant to interaction with the antimony sample to result in irradiated antimony,
• removing the irradiated sample, and
• recovering NCA radiotin from the removed irradiated sample.

A target comprising a metallic antimony block sample hermetically sealed in a shell comprised of at least one of stainless austenitic high-alloy steel, hot-rolled molybdenum, or high-porosity graphite.

A method for producing a target, the method comprising

• (a) providing pressed metallic antimony powder sample to a shell,
• (b) hermetically sealing the shell to encase the sample in the absence of oxygen, and
• (c) heating the shell-encased sample to a temperature around the melting point of antimony.