Linear electron accelerator-based radioisotope generation

Technetium 99m is one of the most widely used radioisotopes in the diagnostics procedures worldwide. In 2015, SAMEER initiated development of high-energy, high-beam power electron linac for generation of ⁹⁹Mo from which ^99mTc will be eluted. In this project, SAMEER has focused on development of high current linac technology while INMAS is working to establish the elution process of ^99mTc from ⁹⁹Mo. We are working to establish 30 MeV electron accelerator which will generate beam power of around 8-10 KW. The base design is based on side- coupled, standing-wave accelerator technology established by SAMEER for radiotherapy linac in India.Two-stage acceleration will help achieve desired beam energy and power. Solid=state modulator will be used to generate necessary radiofrequency power to drive the linac. FPGA-based computerized control system developed at SAMEER will be used to control the accelerator as well as all other subsystems. In this paper, we list the design details of linac and subsystems designed at SAMEER. We also compare some technologies with cyclotron-based system. (author)