The results of the photonuclear production of 11C and 18F isotopes in various target-matrices are summarized. The studies were performed using linear electron accelerators of the R&DE "Accelerator" NSC KIPT NAS of Ukraine in the energy range 10 -40 MeV to determine the possibilities of obtaining the maximum achievable activity levels of 11C isotopes, and 18F with a view to planning further developments on the creation of radiopharmaceutical for these nuclear isotopes. In the framework of the above approach, we measured the activity levels of the 18F which is transferred to the surrounding aquatic environment during irradiation of targets-matrices of fluoroplastic (C2F4) with bremsstrahlung flux. The release of the 18F isotope into the aquatic environment under the most favorable conditions (in terms of energy and average beam current) was 3.6% of the target-matrices activity - 40 MBq/g, which is a very low figure. Despite the encouraging value of the specific activity of 18F isotope in lithium fluoride (LiF) -77 MBq/g target–matrices and hydrofluoric acid (HF) - close to 100 MBq/g, the process of extracting 18F from C2F4, LiF and HF as basis of the radiopharmaceutical is not sufficiently effective and brings into question the feasibility of such a methodology for producing 18F isotope for further use. More efficient was the production of the 11C isotope in the irradiated target-matrix of the standard therapeutic form "glucose monohydrate" (glucose). It was shown that, as a result of irradiation of glucose with a gamma-quanta beam, it is possible to “label” glucose with the 11C isotope, which is formed as a result of the photonuclear reaction 12C(γ, n)11C at the 12C nucleus, which is part of the glucose molecule C6H12O6 ×H2O. Irradiated sample of glucose dissolved in a given volume of solvent (distilled water) will be ready for use radiopharmaceutical "Glucose, 11C". It has been shown that the “photonuclear method” provides for obtaining the “Glucose, 11C” radiopharmaceutical complex with total activity necessary for performing PET diagnostics. The radiopharmaceutical "Glucose, 11C" by the time of its use has 100% radionuclide purity. “Glucose, 11C” obtained in this way was produced for the first time. The choice of the optimal design of a water-cooled target station, providing a moderate (in terms of heat loads) mode of irradiation of a capsule filled with glucose tablets, is discussed. Using the program “SolidWorks FlowSimulation 2011”, the quantitative characteristics of the flow rates of water flowing around the glucose capsule and the converter are calculated.

To increase the reliability of operation and simplify the precise tuning of the beam it is proposed to upgrade the output part of the accelerator "EPOS" NSC KIPT that operates in the range of electron energies 25…35 MeV and beam power up to 12 kW. An additional collimator, beam profile scanner and a wide aperture beam current monitor is offered to install. It is also proposed to upgrade the target station, which will improve the quality of irradiation and improve working conditions for personnel.

The creation of a PET center in the Kharkov region is proposed. This is facilitated by the transfer of the cyclotron by the Julich Research Center (Germany) to Kharkiv, which will ensure the development of the diagnostic radiopharmaceutical “Glucose,18F”. An additional expansion of the treatment base is possible by acquiring a microtron electron accelerator, which will make it possible to produce and use for treatment of cancer the “Ethanol,11C” radiopharmaceutical and the "Glucose,11C" diagnostic radiopharmaceutical developed at the NSC KIPT.

The process of "Glucose 11C" pharmaceutical production by means of a photonuclear reaction 12C(γ, n) 11C is considered. The parameters of bremsstrahlung and electron beam scattered in the converter are investigated and optimized. It is proposed to use a constant-field magnet to remove electrons from the photon beam. A magnet de-sign is proposed that allows obtaining a field of 0.5 T in a gap of 25 mm. The production of the 11C isotope in the glucose target was estimated.