First ⁷⁰Zn(p,x) nuclear cross section measurements for theranostic ⁶⁷Cu radionuclide production extended up to 100 MeV

In this work the nuclear reaction routes ⁷⁰Zn(p,x)^64,67Cu, ^66,67Ga, and ^65,69mZn, induced by a high-energy proton beam up to 100 MeV have been investigated. Demand for ⁶⁷Cu is increasing worldwide because it is known to be one of the best radionuclides having theranostic properties. Thus, efforts to improve its global production are underway. In previous studies, experimental data about nuclear cross-section measurements on ⁷⁰Zn-enriched targets induced by proton beams were limited to an energy range of up to 70 MeV. Our goal was to extend nuclear data on ⁷⁰Zn over a wider and unexplored so far region from 42 MeV to 98 MeV. As a result, our data turned out to be in good agreement with the literature ones in the overlapping energy range. In addition, to the best of our knowledge, new nuclear data exceeding 70 MeV were provided, demonstrating an excellent analytical method for producing ⁶⁷Cu in the extended energy range.