Development of an integrated CCONE-based framework for exploration of nuclide production paths

In the field of medical RI production, a framework is highly demanded to investigate the production methods of desired nuclides under various boundary conditions, based on nuclear reaction calculation codes and evaluated nuclear data libraries. To address this, we developed a CCONE-based framework that contributes to the exploration and optimization of production paths for desired nuclides. This framework integrates three core programs: (1) generating tables of nuclide production cross-sections, (2) generating tables of thick target yields (TTYs), and (3) comparing calculation results with experimental data or evaluated nuclear data. This framework enables us to intuitively compare nuclide production cross-sections or TTYs for various projectile-target combinations and to derive the optimal solution. Furthermore, it facilitates the comparison among the calculated values from CCONE, experimental data, and evaluated nuclear data libraries. As an example of this framework’s usefulness, we evaluated the production reactions of 77Br, a medical RI that is currently attracting significant interest. We identified the reactions that maximize the production cross-section or TTY for 77Br and provided a comprehensive list of production cross-sections for all residual nuclei potentially generated during the production process.