Method for determining photonuclear production of radioisotopes using high-energy electron beams

Linear accelerators can produce electrons at high power and energy. These electrons can be targeted at materials to produce radionuclides. Monte Carlo simulation is used to follow the path of the linac electrons (15-35 MeV) through materials. The production of photons and their passage through the material is modeled. The method of using this Monte Carlo information to calculate activation in the materials is presented. It is found that kilowatt power levels can produce mCi amounts of radioactivity in minutes. This work permits systematic evaluation of the potential for designing linear accelerators for in-house production of radionuclides. (C) 1999 American Association of Physicists in Medicine. [S0094-2405(99)00901-3].