High specific activity ⁶¹Cu via ⁶⁴Zn(p,α)⁶¹Cu reaction at low proton energies.

The PET radionuclide (61)Cu is accessible through several nuclear reactions. Besides the common production route via (61)Ni(p,n)(61)Cu the (64)Zn(p,α)(61)Cu reaction offers some advantages. Especially the comparatively cheap enriched (64)Zn makes this process economical.