Cologne researchers discover new decay pathway for technetium-98

Cologne researchers discover new decay pathway for technetium-98

An exciting chapter in the world of nuclear physics has been written. Researchers at the University of Cologne have demonstrated the electron capture decay of technetium-98. This isotope of the chemical element technetium (Tc) is extremely rare, which made detection a real challenge. The University of Cologne reports on a carefully conducted experiment that now provides new insights into this decay.

Electron capture decay is a process in which the nucleus captures an electron, converting a proton into a neutron. This causes the element to change. Theoretical considerations about this decay of technetium-98 date back to the 1990s, but the team was finally able to present concrete results. The study was published in the journal “Physical Review” under the title “Electron-capture decay of 98Tc”.

The challenge of proof

Technetium-98 only occurs in extremely small quantities - an idea that has repeatedly presented researchers with major challenges. To detect the decay, they used about three grams of technetium-99, which contained traces of technetium-98. Using an extremely precise measurement method, they recorded around 40,000 electron capture decays over 17 days.

Thanks to a specially adapted lead shield, the radiation background of technetium-99 was suppressed, which led to the impressive results. The results show that technetium-98 decays predominantly into ruthenium-98 and in about 0.3 percent of cases into molybdenum-98.

A look at technetium

Technetium is an artificially produced metallic element with atomic number 43 and belongs to the group of transition metals in the periodic table. It was first discovered in 1937 by Carlo Perrier and Emilio Segrè and is known for its radioactive properties. The most prominent isotopes are technetium-99, used in nuclear medicine for diagnostic testing, and the long-lived technetium-97, which has a half-life of 4.21 million years. Interestingly, technetium is extremely rare in nature and occurs primarily as a fission product in nuclear reactors.

How out Wikipedia As can be seen, technetium is not found in significant quantities in the earth's crust, but can be detected in extremely low concentrations as a product of the spontaneous fission of uranium and thorium. It has also been discovered in red giant stars, which gives additional weight to its importance in astrophysical research.

Also Britannica highlights that technetium occurs in various chemical compounds and acts in many oxidation states. From +7 to +6 to +4, the element has many facets that make it an exciting research topic.

The new findings about the decay of technetium-98 not only expand the understanding of the decay processes, but also bring a breath of fresh air to the nuclide map, in which the new symbol for the confirmed decay path is entered. Future research should investigate similar decay processes in neighboring nuclides and perhaps reveal further secrets of this fascinating element.