Natural positron emitters

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    Natural Positron
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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the long-lived isotopes that can undergo both beta decay and positron emission, specifically Potassium-40, Lanthanum-138, and Vanadium-50. Potassium-40 has a branching ratio of approximately 1000 electron captures for every positron emission. The conversation seeks to clarify the experimentally observed branching ratios for Lanthanum-138 and Vanadium-50, referencing data from the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of beta decay and positron emission processes
  • Familiarity with isotopes and their properties
  • Knowledge of branching ratios in nuclear physics
  • Access to nuclear data resources, such as KAERI
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the branching ratios for Lanthanum-138 and Vanadium-50 using KAERI resources
  • Study the implications of electron capture versus positron emission in isotopes
  • Explore the significance of long-lived isotopes in nuclear physics
  • Investigate other isotopes that exhibit similar decay characteristics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, nuclear engineers, and researchers in the field of nuclear decay processes will benefit from this discussion, particularly those focusing on isotopic behavior and decay mechanisms.

snorkack
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There are 3 long lived (over 10^9 years) isotopes which may capture electrons and have actually been observed to undergo single beta transmutation.

Interestingly, all these 3 ALSO can undergo beta decay AND positron emission.

Potassium 40 has a branching ratio of about 1000 electron captures per positron emission.

But how about the other two? What are the experimentally observed branching ration between positron emission and electron capture for lanthanum 138 and vanadium 50?
 
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