An analytical approach to optimization of isotope production by bremsstrahlung radiation.

Based on analytical description of isotope production by bremsstrahlung (X-ray) radiation, an algorithm is proposed for calculating the optimal dimensions of a cylindrical target of given mass positioned at a given distance from a bremsstrahlung converter to ensure the maximum yield of the isotope product. The expressions are derived for the total activity and its distribution along the target axis. A technique of γ-spectrometric measuring the activity of a thick production target is proposed. The novel approach is validated by the Mo(γ,n)Mo reaction induced in a natural molybdenum target by mass in the range 10-100g with the X-ray photons at an end-point energy of 40 MeV. The analytical predictions are in good agreement with the results of Monte-Carlo simulations and experiment.