A niobium water target for routine production of [F-18]Fluoride with a MC 17 cyclotron

A [F-18]Fluoride water target was constructed for a Scanditronix MC 17 cyclotron, without a beam line, with a typical wide beam of similar to 30 x 5 mm(2). Niobium was used as target chamber material. One hour irradiation with 45 mu A protons yields about 110 GBq [F-18] Fluoride. The saturation yield is 8.0 +/- 0.6 GBq/mu A (EOB). The FDG yield is 60 +/- 5% (EIS) with a TracerLab MX (G.E. Healthcare). More than 100 GBq FOG is routinely produced after a 2 h irradiation. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved