Which Radionuclide Is Produced by a Cyclotron?

These radionuclides include ¹¹C, ¹³N, ¹⁸F, ¹⁵O, etc., and are produced in the cyclotron. The operation of a cyclotron and the production of useful positron emitters are described below.

What is produced in a cyclotron?

A cyclotron is a type of compact particle accelerator which produces radioactive isotopes that can be used for imaging procedures. Stable, non-radioactive isotopes are put into the cyclotron which accelerates charged particles (protons) to high energy in a magnetic field.

How does a cyclotron work and produce radionuclides?

A cyclotron is a type of particle accelerator which repeatedly propels a beam of charged particles (protons) in a circular path. ... When the proton beam interacts with the stable isotopes, a nuclear reaction occurs, making the stable isotopes radioactive isotopes (radioisotopes).