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How are particle accelerators used to produce radioisotopes?

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Diagram of a linear proton resonance accelerator, or linac, showing protons entering from a source, passing through a series of labeled drift tubes powered by a radio-frequency source, and exiting as a beam through a cavity. — particle accelerator The accelerator is a large-diameter tube within which an electric field oscillates at a high radio frequency. Within the accelerator tube are smaller diameter metallic drift tubes, which are carefully sized and spaced to shield the protons from decelerating oscillations of the electric field. In the spaces between the drift tubes, the electric field is oriented properly to accelerate the protons in their direction of travel.

Particle accelerators produce radioisotopes by bombarding stable target materials with high-energy beams of subatomic particles.12

In this process, specialized accelerators—most commonly cyclotrons—accelerate particles such as protons or alpha particles to high velocities. When these particles strike a target material, they induce nuclear reactions that transform the stable atoms into radioactive isotopes. For example, researchers produce the medical isotope astatine-211 by irradiating bismuth targets with alpha particles.3

These artificial radioisotopes are essential for various applications, particularly in nuclear medicine, where they serve as diagnostic tracers or therapeutic agents to treat conditions like cancer. By precisely controlling the beam energy and target composition, scientists can synthesize specific isotopes required for clinical and research purposes.243