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

²³⁰U and its daughter nuclide ²²⁶Th are promising therapeutic nuclides for application in targeted α therapy of cancer. We investigated the feasibility of producing ²³⁰U/²²⁶Th via irradiation of ²³⁰Th with ³He particles according to the reaction ²³⁰Th(³He,3n)²³⁰U. The experimental excitation function for this reaction is reported here. Cross sections were measured by using thin targets of ²³⁰Th prepared by electrodeposition, and ²³⁰U yields were analyzed by using α spectrometry. Beam intensities were obtained via monitor reactions on aluminum foils by using high-resolution γ 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 ²³⁰Th(³He,3n)^{230U 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 230U/226Th in clinically relevant levels.}