Highlights:
- New fusion-based method can generate high-specific-activity radioisotopes essential for medicine.
- Utilizes high-energy neutrons from deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion to drive transmutation reactions.
- Offers a non-fission, proliferation-resistant alternative to reactor-based isotope production.
- Capable of meeting or exceeding global medical isotope demand with only a few megawatts of fusion power.
TLDR:
A team of nuclear physicists has demonstrated that high-energy neutrons from D-T fusion can efficiently produce a wide range of crucial medical radioisotopes. This method could revolutionize isotope supply by offering cleaner, safer, and more scalable production routes than traditional reactor methods.
In a recent study published on arXiv, researchers J. F. Parisi, A. Rutkowski, J. Harter, J. A. Schwartz, and S. Chen have unveiled a transformative approach to producing high-specific-activity radioisotopes using high-energy fusion neutrons. The research, titled *’Production of High-Specific-Activity Radioisotopes Using High-Energy Fusion Neutrons’*, leverages deuterium-tritium (D-T) fusion reactions to generate intense neutron fluxes capable of driving efficient transmutation processes. This approach can synthesize a wide array of medically significant isotopes, including molybdenum-99/technetium-99m, iodine-131, lutetium-177, and copper-64, among others. These materials are indispensable in nuclear medicine for cancer therapy, diagnostic imaging, and radiopharmaceutical development.
Traditional methods for radioisotope production typically rely on fission reactors or particle accelerators, which can be limited by complex waste streams, high costs, and proliferation risks associated with uranium targets. The new fusion-driven transmutation technique circumvents these challenges by using stable, abundant feedstocks and reactions that alter the proton number without relying on fission. This means isotopes can be separated through chemical rather than isotopic processes, offering a cleaner and more scalable production system. Importantly, the research suggests that a D-T fusion source operating at only a few megawatts could meet or even exceed global demand for many key medical isotopes.
From a technical standpoint, the study explores neutron-induced transmutation reactions, where fusion-produced neutrons—with energies up to 14 MeV—hit stable target materials such as ruthenium, indium, or samarium. The resulting reactions generate new isotopes efficiently and with high specific activity. This approach opens possibilities for producing emerging isotopes like terbium-161, iridium-195m, scandium-47, and antimony-119, which are gaining attention for advanced cancer therapies and diagnostic uses. The authors emphasize the potential for developing dedicated, compact fusion systems to serve as isotope factories, drastically reducing reliance on aging fission reactors.
The study not only proposes a new technological pathway but also presents a compelling vision for the future medical isotope supply chain—a model grounded in sustainability, safety, and flexibility. Further research will aim to refine target material processing, optimize fusion source operation, and design efficient isotope extraction techniques. If successfully implemented, fusion-driven transmutation could mark a new era for radiopharmaceutical production and healthcare innovation.
Source:
Source:
arXiv:2511.02814v1 [nucl-ex] — Parisi, J. F., Rutkowski, A., Harter, J., Schwartz, J. A., & Chen, S. (2025). Production of High-Specific-Activity Radioisotopes Using High-Energy Fusion Neutrons. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2511.02814