Cross sections of the reaction 231Pa(d,3n)230U for the production of 230U/226Th for targeted α therapy

U-230 and its daughter nuclide Th-226 are novel therapeutic nuclides for application in targeted alpha therapy of cancer. We investigated the feasibility of producing U-230/Th-226 via deuteron irradiation of Pa-231 according to the reaction Pa-231(d,3n)U-230. The experimental excitation function for a deuteron-induced reaction on Pa-231 is reported for the first time. Cross sections were measured using thin targets of Pa-231 prepared by electrodeposition and U-230 yields were analysed using alpha spectrometry. Beam energies were calculated from measured beam orbits and compared with the values obtained via monitor reactions on aluminium foils using high-resolution gamma spectrometry and IAEA recommended cross sections. Beam intensities were determined using a beam current integrator. The experimental cross sections are in excellent agreement with model calculations allowing for deuteron breakup using the EMPIRE 3 code. According to thick-target yields calculated from the experimental excitation function, the reaction Pa-231(d,3n)U-230 allows the production of U-230/Th-226 at moderate levels.