All JournalsPhysics Magazine

Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation
  • Access by Xinjiang University

Low-Temperature Influence on the Technetium-99m Lifetime

Don H. Byers* and Robert Stump

  • University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

  • *Now at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Phys. Rev. 112, 77 – Published 1 October, 1958

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRev.112.77

Abstract

The rate of decay of a nuclear isomer has been demonstrated to be influenced by its electronic environment. This effect has been utilized to detect environmental changes of Tc99m in its metallic lattice at low temperatures. The effect of low temperature on the decay constant of Tc99m in technetium metal was measured. Measurements were made at 77°K and 4.2°K. Since the metal is superconducting at 4.2°K, a measurement was made at 4.2°K in a magnetic field sufficient to destroy superconductivity. Results of the experiments indicate a negligible change in the decay constant for the metal at 77°K, whereas a noticeable change in the decay constant was observed for the superconducting metal at 4.2°K: λ(4.2°K superconducting)λ(293°K)=(6.4±0.4)×104λ(293°K). Measurements on the low-temperature normal-state metal indicate a gross removal of this influence: λ(4.2°K normal)λ(293°K)=(1.3±0.4)×104λ(293°K).

References (11)

  1. Kraushaar, Wilson, and Bainbridge, Phys. Rev. 90, 610 (1953)
  2. Bainbridge, Goldhaber, and Wilson, Phys. Rev. 90, 430 (1953)
  3. J. G. Daunt and J. W. Cobble, Phys. Rev. 92, 507 (1953)
  4. Leininger, Segrè, and Wiegand, Phys. Rev. 81, 280 (1951) ibid.76, 897 (1949)
  5. Bouchez, Daudel, Daudel, Muxart, and Rogozinski, J. phys. radium 10, 201 (1949)
  6. [2], Sec. II
  7. [2], p. 434
  8. J. G. Daunt and J. W. Mendelssohn, Proc. Phys. Soc. (London) A160, 127 (1937)
  9. R. T. Birge, Phys. Rev. 40, 225, 226 (1932)
  10. K. T. Bainbridge (private communication)
  11. J. L. Olsen and H. Roher, Helv. Phys. Acta 30, 49 (1957)

Outline

Information

Sign In to Your Journals Account

Filter

Filter

Article Lookup

Enter a citation