Production of 18F-labelled molecular fluorine with a medical mini-cyclotron

It has been demonstrated that several hundred millicuries of 18F-F2 can be produced with a small medical cyclotron using deuteron irradiation of a mixture of 0.5% fluorine in neon at an initial pressure of 405 kPa (4 atm). A high-current deuteron beam from a medical mini-cyclotron was used. Extraction efficiency for 18F-molecular fluorine from the target box for the irradiation of one hour or less was 61–68%. Specific activity of extracted anhydrous molecular fluorine is about 133.2 GBq/mmol (3.6 Ci/mmol) and 216.82 GBq/mmol (5.86 Ci/mmol) after one- and two-hour irradiation, respectively. A passivation of the target box by a short irradiation of fluorine–neon mixture was demonstrated.