Cross-section evaluation of the therapeutic radionuclide ¹⁰³Pd: Different production routes using commercial...

The production of the medically relevant radioisotope ¹⁰³Pd via proton and deuteron-induced reactions on rhodium targets is critical for internal radiotherapy applications, including the treatment of prostate cancer, ocular melanoma, and targeted radiotherapy. This study is concerned with generating reliable excitation functions for the two main routes of ¹⁰³Pd production: ¹⁰³Rh (p,n)¹⁰³Pd and ¹⁰³Rh (d,2n)¹⁰³Pd, by combining theoretical modeling and experimental data analysis. Experimental cross-section data from the literature were subjected to normalization and correction to ensure consistency and accuracy. The EMPIRE nuclear reaction code was employed to validate the experimental literature data. The processed experimental data were then fitted to derive recommended excitation functions for the investigated reactions. The application of these data in calculating integrated yields was discussed to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of ¹⁰³Pd production in commercial cyclotrons. Both the proton and deuteron irradiation routes using commercial cyclotrons deliver comparable ¹⁰³Pd yields (∼12 MBq/μA h). Proton irradiation benefits from higher beam currents (about three times greater), while deuteron irradiation reduces rhodium target thickness (about six times thinner), presenting a trade-off between yield and cost efficiency.