Radioactive decays, different modes share

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on determining the share of different decay modes for the nuclide Yttrium-90 (90Y), specifically its beta decay and gamma emission. The user seeks to understand how to calculate the approximate number of emitted electrons and gamma quanta from the activity of 90Y over one hour. The discussion references the National Nuclear Data Center (NNDC) database, which provides decay intensities for 90Y's decay modes, including beta minus decay and internal transition (IT) gamma emissions. The challenge lies in interpreting the 100% intensities for each decay mode to ascertain their relative probabilities of occurrence.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of radioactive decay principles
  • Familiarity with decay mode classifications (beta decay and gamma emission)
  • Knowledge of nuclear data databases, specifically the NNDC
  • Basic proficiency in interpreting decay intensity data
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of decay mode probabilities in nuclear physics
  • Explore the NNDC database for additional nuclide decay data
  • Learn about the statistical methods for analyzing decay intensities
  • Investigate the differences between isomers and their decay characteristics
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, nuclear engineers, and researchers in nuclear science who are analyzing decay modes and their probabilities for isotopes like Yttrium-90.

taffer33
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Hello,

I'd like someone to help me understand, how can I tell from available data, what is the approximate share of different decay modes, for some given nuclide activity.

Let's take 90Y for instance. It's known for being beta-emitter, but it emits gammas and X-rays as well. How to approximately assess what is the number of registered emitted electrons and number of emitted gamma quantum, let's say during one hour of active isotope. What will be the percentage of beta and gamma from given activity?

For example
https://www.nndc.bnl.gov/chart/decaysearchdirect.jsp?nuc=90Y&unc=nds

From this data I can see there are two ways of Y-90 decaying, beta minus and gamma IT. I can read the intensities for given decay modes. From the IT decay we have gammas 202,53 keV (97%) and 479,51 keV (90,7%). From the beta - almost 100% of the electrons with initial energy of 933 keV.

And now my problem is to understand this part. I have 100% intensities for one decay mode, and 100% for the another - and how can I find the information which mode is more probable to occur?
 
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There are two isomers of Y-90 called Y-90 and Y-90m. Your two modes are one for each isomer. I can't find more information.
 
If there is more than one decay mode you need a database that gives their relative frequencies. In this case you are comparing two different things, however.
 

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