Production of Zr-89 using sputtered yttrium coin targets Zr using sputtered yttrium coin targets.

An increasing interest in zirconium-89 (Zr) can be attributed to the isotope's half-life which is compatible with antibody imaging using positron emission tomography (PET). The goal of this work was to develop an efficient means of production for Zr that provides this isotope with high radionuclidic purity and specific activity. We investigated the irradiation of yttrium sputtered niobium coins and compared the yields and separation efficiency to solid yttrium coins.