CERN-MEDICIS isotope mass separation process optimization: the case of Scandium for release study and on-line monitoring of the implanted activity.

Scandium (Sc) isotopes are suitable for cancer diagnostics and therapy. Various production methods have been investigated, but challenges persist in achieving high molar activity and radiochemical purity for medical applications. The mass separation technique presents an alternative, but efficiency and yield remain sub-optimal for medical dose production. This study aims to systematically investigate the thermal release kinetics of Sc radionuclides from activated natural titanium foils in tantalum (Ta) environments of ISOL (Isotope Separation On-Line) target units. By elucidating the combination of target material structure and temperature conditions, enhanced release parameters were identified. Maximum Sc release from a non-embossed $^{nat}$Ti foil samples was achieved at 1200 °C, for embossed $^{nat}$Ti foil samples at 1450 °C and for $^{nat}$V foil samples at 1600 °C, within an hour of reaching the set temperature. These findings offer insights into optimizing the mass separation process to improve the efficiency in Sc radionuclide production for medical applications. Upon the conclusion of the experiments, KROMEK detector GR-1+ was characterized. The data collected from the calibration will be used for the validation of various novel and innovative radioisotopes obtained within the MEDICIS facility.