Measurement and modeling of the cross sections for the reaction Th-230(He-3,3n)U-230

U-230 and its daughter nuclide Th-226 are promising therapeutic nuclides for application in targeted alpha therapy of cancer. We investigated the feasibility of producing U-230/Th-226 via irradiation of Th-230 with He-3 particles according to the reaction Th-230(He-3,3n)U-230. The experimental excitation function for this reaction is reported here. Cross sections were measured by using thin targets of Th-230 prepared by electrodeposition, and U-230 yields were analyzed by using alpha spectrometry. Beam intensities were obtained via monitor reactions on aluminum foils by using high-resolution gamma spectrometry and International Atomic Energy Agency recommended cross sections. Incident particle energies were calculated by using the SRIM-2003 code. The experimental cross sections for the reaction Th-230(He-3,3n)U-230 are in good agreement with model calculations by the EMPIRE-3 code once breakup and transfer reactions are properly considered in the incident channel. The obtained cross sections are too low to allow for the production of U-230/Th-226 in clinically relevant levels.