CIAO DATE: 11/2013
October 2013
Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard University
More than 10 countries in the world operate research reactors fueled with highly enriched uranium (HEU) or use HEU targets to produce medical isotopes. These reactors and the fuel they store on site pose significant safety and security risks. Scores of additional HEU-fueled research reactors around the world are used to generate neutrons for research. A new generation of radiofrequency (RF) linear accelerators, relying on new technologies, may offer a substitute for nuclear research reactors for medical isotope production and for many research purposes. Expanding the use of accelerators for these purposes could help to reduce the use of HEU. Countries considering the acquisition of new research reactors for medical isotope production and as neutron sources for research could be provided with these capabilities by using an accelerator instead, reducing proliferation, security, and safety risks, and the generation of nuclear waste. However, non-HEU targets still need to be fully developed (as they do for research reactors) and a long process of regulation and licensing will be required.
Resource link: Smashing Atoms for Peace: Using Linear Accelerators to Produce Medical Isotopes without Highly Enriched Uranium [PDF] - 348K