The Evaluation of ¹⁶⁶Ho Product by Double Neutron Capture from HANARO Research Reactor

하나로를 이용한 중성자 이중 포획반응에 의한 ¹⁶⁶Ho 생성량 평가

In this paper, production of $^{166}Ho$ by double neutron capture from HANARO research reactor was evaluated. This production approach provides $^{166}Ho$ with high specific activity. $^{164}Dy$ is transmuted into $^{165g+m}Dy$ by (n,${\gamma}$) reaction, then $^{165g+m}Dy$ is transmuted into $^{166}Dy$ by (n,${\gamma}$) reaction. At the end of neutron irradiation, population of $^{166}Dy$ atoms reaches highest point. And $^{164}Dy$ exists as a mixture with $^{165m}Dy$, $^{165}Dy$, $^{166}Ho$ and $^{165}Ho$ at this point. To obtain $^{166}Ho$ with high specific activity, Ho isotopes from irradiated target is separated out. Then $^{166}Ho$ decayed from $^{166}Dy$ is eluted at radioactive equilibrium state. At each step, the number of relevant nuclide is calculated by the state equation. The neutron irradiation time for maximum $^{166}Dy$ is calculated for 283 hour. When 100 mg target of $Dy_2O_3$ (96.8% enriched $^{164}Dy$) is used, possible activity of $^{166}Ho$ is 3.54 Ci($1.31{\times}10^{11}Bq$). For separation efficiency of Dy/Ho is 99.99%, $^{166}Ho/Ho$ is 0.62.