A catalytic generator for the production of H2 14O and H2 15O.

A technique is described for the continuous production of water labelled with 14O or 15O. Total activities are achieved which are virtually independent of the distance separating the accelerator from the user site, limited only by beam current and energy. The specific activity is determined by the user's needs, since the entire 100-mCi inventory can be collected in liquid volumes on the order of microliters. The studies triggered by this resource range from basic investigations in physics and biochemistry to practical nuclear medical procedures.