High yield $[18F]F2$ targetry for 19 MeV protons

An $[18F]F2$ target system using the $18O(p,n)18F$ reaction with 19 MeV protons on $[18O]O2$ gas has produced reliable end of bombardment yields up to 79 GBq (2.1 Ci) at specific activities up to 850 MBq/μmol. The aluminum body target operates on a two-step activation/recovery irradiation protocol. Up to 63 GBq (1.7 Ci) $[18F]F2$ has been recovered 35 minutes after gas activation. As much as 7.8 GBq (212 mCi) of the PET radiopharmaceutical $L-6-[18F]fluoro-DOPA$ has been produced using $[18F]F2$ from this target.