Production of ²⁰³Pb from enriched ²⁰⁵Tl using deuteron beams

Lead-203 is a SPECT emitter that can be used in theranostic applications as an imaging counterpart of lead-212 which is intended to be used for alpha therapy as lead-212/bismuth-212 in-vivo generator. In our study, we explore the production of lead-203 using enriched thallium-205 target irradiated by a deuteron beam. Excitation functions of deuteron induced reactions leading to the formation of ^{204m,203m2+m1+g,202m,201m+g}Pb, ²⁰²Tl and ^203m+gHg isotopes were determined experimentally in the energy range from 21 MeV to 34 MeV. Cross sections were measured using the stacked foils technique and a set of two monitor foils, ^natNi and ^natTi for beam intensity evaluation. The experimental excitation functions of the investigated reactions were compared with the published data and also with the TENDL-2021 nuclear database. From our experimental data, we calculated lead-203 thick target yield in the energy range between 30 MeV and 32.5 MeV to be 56.7 MBq/μAh ±6.1 MBq/μAh. This value is compatible with large batch production showing that deuteron beams can be used for a routine production process. However, special attention must be paid to ²⁰³Hg and other lead contaminants.