https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06946-1
Regular Article
From qubits to QCuries: a quantum computing framework for Tc-99m ultra-precise optimization
1
Department of Physics, Akwa Ibom State University, P.M.B. 1167, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
2
Department of Research and Technological Development, The MindBook Group, 520001, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
a
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Received:
5
May
2025
Accepted:
9
October
2025
Published online:
29
October
2025
Technetium-99 m (99mTc) radiopharmaceuticals account for more than 80% of diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures, yet their design has remained largely empirical, with minimal integration of quantum–mechanical stability. We present a quantum entropy optimization framework demonstrating a statistically robust inverse correlation 
between Rényi-2 entropy (S2) and quantum state purity (Tr[ρ2]) across 99mTc decay pathways. To formalize this relationship and for further research, we propose QCuries (Quantum Curies) as a unit for quantifying quantum-augmented activity, defined as 1 QCurie = 1 Curie × (1 − e− Re[ρ]), which reduces to the classical Curie under full decoherence. Our hybrid quantum–classical neural network (QNN–ANN), trained on ab initio Nikiforov–Uvarov solutions and data from nuclear information repositories, achieves a 
accuracy gain over classical ANN baselines in stability and information-theoretic parameter predictions. Predicted phenomena include a 660-attosecond coherence threshold for β− decay, high-purity 
emissions (98% at 0.25 nat entropy), and 
deviations from linear dosimetry in high-entropy regimes (S2 > 1.5 nat). These results reveal a computationally defined ‘quantum Goldilocks zone’ (0.5 < S2 < 1.5 nat; 0.7–1.2 QCuries)
which may guide the optimization of diagnostic tracers pending clinical validation. While clinical validation remains ongoing, this framework provides a physics-grounded path toward more predictive radiopharmaceutical design and may guide future regulatory standards.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06946-1.
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© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
