Validation of the estimation of ¹⁹²Ir production rates in wires from natural iridium-platinum in research reactors

Iridium-192 is a crucial radionuclide, extensively used in brachytherapy for cancer treatment. The accurate estimation of the production rate of ¹⁹²Ir is critical for optimizing the manufacture of brachytherapy sources in nuclear reactors and ensuring their dosimetric quality. A rigorous calculation of this rate makes it possible to define irradiation times, guarantee the activity required at the clinical moment, and reduce variations in production, all of which have a direct impact on therapeutic efficacy. This study evaluates the production rate of ¹⁹²Ir in wires composed of natural iridium-platinum alloys when irradiated in research reactors. The methodology incorporates the Hϕgdhal convention, taking into account neutron flux distribution, cross-section data, self-shielding factor, and resonance integral estimations. Experimental validation is carried out through neutron activation analysis and gamma spectroscopy using a HPGe detector. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between theoretical calculations and experimental measurements, providing a reliable framework for optimizing ¹⁹²Ir production.