Isotope separation of (176)Lu a precursor to (177)Lu medical isotope using broadband lasers

A new photoionization scheme accessible by Rhodamine dye lasers is proposed for the isotope separation of (176)Lu. [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] Optimum conditions for the laser isotope separation have been theoretically computed and compared with the previously reported work. The enrichment of ~ 63% can be obtained with > 22 mg/h production rate even when broadband lasers with bandwidth of 500 MHz are employed for the two step excitation. The simplified system requirements for the photoionization scheme combined with a high production rate of (176)Lu than previously reported is expected to reduce the global shortage of (176)Lu isotope for medical applications.