Nuclear model calculation for cyclotron production of 61Cu as a PET imaging

61Cu is positron emitter and can be used as the PET and molecular imaging. In this study cyclotron production of 61Cu via 61Ni(p,n)61Cu, natNi(p,x)61Cu, natNi(d,x)61Cu, natNi(α,x)61Cu, natZn(p,x)61Cu and 59Co(α,2n)61Cu reactions was investigated. The ALICE/ASH (hybrid and GDH models) and TALYS-1.2 codes were used to calculate excitation functions for proton, alpha and deuteron induced on natNi, proton on 61Ni and natZn and also alpha-particle on 59Co targets that lead to the production of 61Cu radioisotopes using intermediate energy accelerators. In addition, we compared the data obtained from in this study with the reported measurement by experimental data. Moreover, optimal thickness of the targets and physical yield were obtained by stopping and range of ions in matter code for each reaction. Eventually 61Ni(p,n)61Cu and 59Co(α,2n)61Cu reaction to produce 61Cu in no-carrier added state with high production yield was suggested. Finally the natNi(p,x)61Cu reaction was employed to test the target preparation using electroplating technique.