Photon emission probabilities of 176Lu

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Lutetium-176 (¹⁷⁶Lu) is a primordial isotope with significant implications in nuclear astrophysics and geochronology.
• Accurate emission probabilities are crucial for various applications, including nuclear structure studies and environmental monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To accurately determine the absolute photon emission probabilities associated with the decay of the primordial isotope Lutetium-176 (¹⁷⁶Lu).
• To improve the existing nuclear decay data for ¹⁷⁶Lu by employing advanced measurement techniques.

Main Methods:

• Gamma-ray spectrometry was used to measure photon emissions from a lutetium nitrate solution.
• Monte Carlo simulation software (GESPECOR) was employed for efficiency transfer factor calculations, accounting for sample geometry and matrix.
• Liquid scintillation counting utilizing the CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing method was used for activity determination.

Main Results:

• Absolute emission probabilities were determined for several photons: P(X)(54.61 keV)=0.095(4), P(X)(55.79 keV)=0.168(5), P(γ)(88.36 keV)=0.149(5), P(γ)(201.83 keV)=0.777(9), and P(γ)(306.84 keV)=0.929(9).
• The upper limit for the electron-capture decay probability of ¹⁷⁶Lu was refined using high-resolution gamma-ray spectra.

Conclusions:

• The study provides precise, experimentally determined absolute photon emission probabilities for ¹⁷⁶Lu decay.
• These refined values enhance the accuracy of nuclear decay data, benefiting fields reliant on ¹⁷⁶Lu measurements.