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Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Investigations on the GaIII Complex of EOB-DTPA and Its 68Ga Radiolabeled Analogue
Published on: August 17, 2016
Two determinations of the Ge-68 half-life
Denis E Bergeron1, Jeffrey T Cessna1, Brian E Zimmerman1
1Physical Measurement Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA.
Germanium-68 (68Ge) half-life measurements were performed using two detector systems over 110 weeks. The results align with current recommended values, ensuring accurate calibration for nuclear medicine imaging.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- Medical Imaging
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- 68Ge is crucial for generating 68Ga, a positron emission tomography (PET) nuclide.
- 68Ge/68Ga equilibrium sources serve as calibration standards for PET imaging, replacing 18F.
- Accurate half-life determination is essential for reliable calibration and imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To precisely measure the half-life of 68Ge.
- To validate the use of 68Ge/68Ga sources as calibration surrogates.
- To assess the impact of new measurements on the recommended 68Ge half-life value.
Main Methods:
- Preparation of multiple 68Ge sources.
- Decay monitoring for 110 weeks using a NaI(Tl) well counter.
- Decay monitoring for 110 weeks using a pressurized ionization chamber.
Main Results:
- 68Ge half-life determined as 271.14(15) days (NaI(Tl) well counter).
- 68Ge half-life determined as 271.07(12) days (ionization chamber).
- Measurements are in excellent agreement with the current Decay Data Evaluation Project (DDEP) recommended value of 270.95(26) days.
Conclusions:
- The precise half-life measurements confirm the suitability of 68Ge/68Ga sources for PET calibration.
- The findings support the current DDEP recommended value for the 68Ge half-life.
- These results contribute to the accuracy and reliability of nuclear medicine imaging procedures.
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