Abstract: A method of producing an isotope comprising directing electrons at a converting material coated with a coating material, the coating material having an atomic number of n, whereby interaction of the electrons with the converting material produces photons, and whereby the photons produced interact with the coating material to produce an isotope having an atomic number of n−1. In preferred embodiments, the converting material is Tungsten, the coating material having an atomic number of n is Radium-226, and the isotope having an atomic number of n−1 is Radium-225.

Abstract: A target grid assembly for employment in a target assembly used to produce radioisotopes by bombarding a target material contained in the target assembly with a particle beam. The target assembly includes the target grid assembly, the target window and a target body enclosed in a target housing. The target body defines a target reservoir for receiving the target material and the target window serves to seal the target reservoir. The target grid assembly includes a vacuum window and a target grid. The target grid defines a target grid portion, a helium input and a helium output. The target grid portion defines a plurality of target grid supports which are configured to form a plurality of target grid oblong openings. The vacuum window is supported against the upstream side of the target grid portion and the target window is supported between the downstream side and the target body.

Abstract: Neptunium of minor actinide nuclides separated from spent fuel is added to fuel of reactor cores (inner reactor cores and/or outer reactor cores) of a fast reactor and americium of the separated minor actinide nuclides and rare earth elements are added to either or both of radial and axial blankets of the fast reactor for burning. Thus, the minor actinide nuclides with long half-lives can be burnt with the fast reactor core with the minimized effects of the rare earth elements. For a burner reactor, americium and rare earth elements may be added to shields for burning. Curium may be added together with americium and rare earth elements. Neptunium is added in amount of 2% to 5% by weight based on the weight of the fuel and the rare earth elements are added in an amount of 50% by weight or less based on the weight of the fuel. A Purex process is used to separate neptunium and a Truex process is used to separate americium and curium.

Abstract: An alpha recoil ion-implantation method and apparatus are described which use an alpha-emitting source that is a radioactive parent of the daughter isotope of interest to implant into a suitable substrate the recoil daughter ions resulting from alpha decay of the parent. For example, a .sup.241 Am source in thin layer form is placed next to a substrate such as a solid state track recorder in a vacuum which houses an assembly for rotating opposing disks receiving the alpha-emitting source and the substrate, respectively. Each alpha decay of .sup.241 Am results in a .sup.237 Np ion with enough recoil energy to be implanted into the substrate. Fissionable deposits of .sup.239 Pu, .sup.235 U, and .sup.238 U can also be made by this method and apparatus.

Abstract: A combination seal and bearing arrangement for use in a nuclear reactor including a vessel and vessel cover is disclosed herein. The vessel cover itself includes at least one rotatable plug which serves to perform certain position related functions within the reactor vessel and the combination seal and bearing arrangement is provided for sealing the annular opening around the rotation plug while, at the same time, providing a bearing support for the latter.