The ARRONAX project.

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics and Chemistry
• Medical Physics
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• The ARRONAX cyclotron, operational since 2010, is a high-energy, high-intensity facility.
• It accelerates various ions, including protons and helium ions, enabling diverse research applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the capabilities of the ARRONAX cyclotron for radionuclide production.
• To highlight its role in advancing targeted radionuclide therapy and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging.

Main Methods:

• Operation of a high-energy and high-intensity cyclotron (ARRONAX).
• Acceleration of negative ions (H-, D-) and positive ions (He++, HH+).
• Production of specific radionuclides including copper-67, scandium-47, astatine-211, copper-64, and germanium-68.

Main Results:

• ARRONAX can accelerate protons from 30-70 MeV and He++ at 68 MeV.
• The facility is optimized for producing radionuclides for nuclear medicine, including those for targeted therapy and PET imaging.
• Astatine-211 has been prioritized for alpha-radionuclide therapy applications.

Conclusions:

• ARRONAX is a versatile tool for producing essential radionuclides for advanced medical applications.
• The cyclotron's capabilities support the development of novel cancer therapies and diagnostic imaging agents.
• The produced radionuclides are expected to meet significant unmet clinical needs in nuclear medicine.