14 MeV Neutrons for Mo/Tc Production: Experiments, Simulations and Perspectives.

Background: the gamma-emitting radionuclide Technetium-99m (Tc) is still the workhorse of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) as it is used worldwide for the diagnosis of a variety of phatological conditions. Tc is obtained from Mo/Tc generators as pertechnetate ion, which is the ubiquitous starting material for the preparation of Tc radiopharmaceuticals. Mo in such generators is currently produced in nuclear fission reactors as a by-product of U fission.