Gross alpha measurements for Actinium-225
10/09/2026
LabLogic's new ZnS detector can be simply plugged into the Scan-RAM 2 to provide fast radiolabelling yield measurements
As emerging alpha therapies continue to progress, radiopharmacies need quick, accurate tools for QC. A new zinc sulphide (ZnS) detector is now available for LabLogic’s Scan-RAM 2 radio-TLC scanner, providing a highly sensitive solution for radiolabelling yield measurements for emerging alpha therapies such as 225Ac-PSMA, offering total alpha detection.
Why is ZnS sensitive to alphas?
Because of the short distance over which alpha particles deposit their energy, they generate a large number of scintillation photons when interacting with the ZnS to produce strong pulses that are easy to count. This characteristic makes ZnS detectors significantly more sensitive to alpha radiation than to beta or gamma emissions, reducing background interference and improving the accuracy of gross alpha measurements.
Exceptional sensitivity for 225Ac
Radiochromatogram of 225Ac-PSMA (spotted activity 900 Bq) captured at a cancer centre in France using the Scan-RAM 2 and ZnS detector.
The performance of the new detector has demonstrated outstanding sensitivity for alpha-emitting radionuclides, with a proven detection limit of <10 Bq. Accurate measurement can be achieved using as little as 2 kBq applied to the TLC plate, while impurities at the 1% level can still be detected in line with published expectations for 225Ac radiopharmaceutical analysis.
Additionally, being able to work with lower activity samples mean less radioactive material is required for analysis, thereby reducing operator exposure and minimising waste.
Futureproofing radio-TLC scanning
Like all Scan-RAM 2 detectors, the new ZnS detector is interchangeable and compatible with Laura Radiopharma, allowing users to quickly switch between different detectors for different radionuclides and applications. This means existing users of the Scan-RAM 2 can start radiolabelling yield measurements of 225Ac immediately.
Find out more
You can learn more about the Scan-RAM 2 and ZnS detector by clicking the button below to speak to a product specialist directly.