A medium-sized particle accelerator will start operations later this year, producing radioactive isotopes for use in medical diagnosis and treatment. The 30-mega-electron-volt (MeV) RFT-30 cyclotron was built by the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute’s (KAERI) advanced radiation research team in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla Province). It will begin generating radioactive isotopes for research purposes later this year, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP) said.

A cyclotron can produce radioactive isotopes for PET scans, a common cancer diagnosis. A cyclotron costs relatively less to develop and can effectively accelerate particles, despite its small capacity. An RFT-30 can accelerate hydrogen anions (H-) through a spiral trajectory and send them through carbon foil to eliminate any remaining electrons, finally producing positive ions. It can accelerate H- to the level of 30 MeVs, which is equivalent to the power generated by 20 million 1.5-volt batteries.


Operating the RFT-30 will likely contribute to research and development on radioactive medicine, including radioactive isotopes used in SPECT (single-photon emission computed tomography) or PET scans. Proton beams, which can also be produced by the cyclotron, are expected to be used in basic and applied science research on the environment, space and living organisms.

The KAERI intends to not only produce radioactive isotopes used in SPECT/ PET scans, but also develop basic materials used in making radiation sensors and related technologies for SPECT/ PET equipment. The KAERI plans to localize radiation imaging equipment by 2015.


By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
jun2@korea.kr