Login

SAIP2026

6–10 Jul 2026
University of the Western Cape
Africa/Johannesburg timezone
**Tours now open!** Registration is now closed - All registration payments are due before 23:39 SAST on 26 June.

SAIP2026 Conference

Spectroscopy and selective Ionisation of TbF3 and LaF3: Towards efficient isolation of Tb-149 and Ac-225 for medical applications.

7 Jul 2026, 17:20
1h 20m
Great Hall (University of the Western Cape)

Great Hall

University of the Western Cape
Poster Presentation Track C - Photonics Poster Session 1

Speaker

Thakgalo Mangena (Mr Thakgalo Mangena, University of Stellenbosch Physics Department)

Description

Theranostics approach in TRNT (Targeted Radionuclide Therapy) have gained interest as an alternative method to chemotherapy for their effectiveness in combining imaging and treatment for cancer. Theranostics involves using the same targeting molecule with different radioactive isotopes for a well monitored TRNT. Two useful isotopes in TRNT are terbium Tb-149 and actinium Ac-225. This study investigates the potential for laser-based ionisation by studying two stable isotopes terbium Tb-159 and lanthanum La-139, as a stepping stone towards application to the radioactive isotopes. Tb has very low vapor pressure and can pose challenges for accelerator-based production of Tb-149. Formation of TbF3 and LaF3 offers a solution to this problem but no data exists on TbF3 and LaF3. The study presents a comprehensive spectroscopic investigation and feasibility study of laser-based ionisation of TbF3 and LaF3 for improved separation and characterization in production of medical isotopes.

Apply for student award at which level: MSc
Consent on use of personal information: Abstract Submission Yes, I ACCEPT

Authors

Christine Margarete Steenkamp (Stellenbosch University, Physics Department) Dr Huzifa Elnour (University of Stellenbosch Physics Department) Thakgalo Mangena (Mr Thakgalo Mangena, University of Stellenbosch Physics Department)

Presentation materials

There are no materials yet.