Production of an isomeric, excited radioactive nuclear beam

Abstract

A momentum-analyzed, isomeric, radioactive $^{18}\mathrm{F}^{\mathit{m}}$ beam (${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{x}}$=1.12 MeV, ${\mathit{T}}_{1/2}$=163 ns) has been produced with the reaction $^{12}\mathrm{C}$${(}^{17}$O${,}^{18}$${\mathrm{F}}^{\mathit{m}}$${)}^{11}$B at E${(}^{17}$O)=70 MeV. The $^{18}\mathrm{F}^{\mathit{m}}$ ions were focused onto a secondary target using a compact superconducting solenoid lens and scattering of $^{18}\mathrm{F}^{\mathit{m}}$ from Au and carbon targets was observed. A conversion efficiency of >${10}^{3}$ $^{18}\mathrm{F}^{\mathit{m}}$/s per 100 particle nanoamps of $^{17}\mathrm{O}$ was obtained using a 1.1 mg/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ natural carbon production target.