Theoretical Investigation of \(⁶⁴\)Cu Production in a \(p\)-induced Reaction: Medical and Industrial Perspectives

Copper-64 (\(⁶⁴\)Cu) is a promising theranostic radionuclide owing to its dual decay modes (\(β ^+\): 17.4\(%\), \(β ^-\): 38.5\(%\), \(e^-\) capture: 44.1\(%\)) and 12.7 h half-life, enabling both PET imaging and targeted radiotherapy. This work presents a theoretical study of \(⁶⁴\)Cu production via the \(⁶⁴\)Ni(\(p,n\))\(⁶⁴\)Cu reaction using PACE4, EMPIRE-3.2.2, and TALYS-1.96 codes. Reaction mechanisms, excitation functions, and yield predictions were analyzed to identify optimal conditions for medical cyclotron production. The simulations indicate an optimal proton energy range of 10–15 MeV, which maximizes the \(⁶⁴\)Cu yield while minimizing contaminants. Calculated excitation functions and thick-target yields show good agreement with experimental data, confirming model reliability for the reaction. The results provide theoretical guidance for efficient \(⁶⁴\)Cu production and target design. Given its established clinical utility in radiopharmaceuticals such as \(⁶⁴\)Cu-DOTATATE and \(⁶⁴\)Cu-ATSM, and its industrial role as a radiotracer, \(⁶⁴\)Cu continues to emerge as a key radionuclide bridging nuclear physics, radiochemistry, and applied science. Abstract Published by the Jagiellonian University 2026 authors