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Isotopes

Isotopes

Elements have a set number of protons that determines their atomic number (Z). For example, all atoms with eight protons are oxygen; however, the number of neutrons can vary for atoms of the same element. The sum of the number of protons and the number of neutrons is the mass number (A). Atoms with the same atomic number but different mass numbers are called isotopes. Elements can have multiple isotopes, for example, carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14.
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Mass Spectrometry: Isotope Effect

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Most elements exist in nature as a mixture of isotopes. The isotopes differ in weight due to their respective number of neutrons. The molecular weight of a molecule is different depending on the specific isotope of its elements involved. As a result, the mass spectrum of the molecule exhibits peaks from the same fragment at multiple positions. The positions of these mass signals depend on the mass differences between isotopes. Furthermore, the intensity of these signals is dependent on the...

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A chemical symbol is an abbreviation used to indicate an element or an atom of an element. For example, the symbol for mercury is Hg. The same symbol is used to indicate one atom of mercury (microscopic domain) or to label a container of many atoms of the element mercury (macroscopic domain).
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Atoms — and the protons, neutrons, and electrons that compose them — are extremely small. For example, a carbon atom weighs less than 2 × 10−23 g. When describing the properties of tiny objects such as atoms, we use appropriately small units of measure, such as the atomic mass unit (amu). The amu was originally defined based on hydrogen, the lightest element, then later in terms of oxygen. Since 1961, it has been defined with regard to the most abundant isotope of carbon, atoms of which...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Profiling Thiol Redox Proteome Using Isotope Tagging Mass Spectrometry

Profiling Thiol Redox Proteome Using Isotope Tagging Mass Spectrometry

Published on: March 24, 2012

Mass separator for radioactive isotopes.

Anthony D Appelhans¹, John E Olson¹, David A Dahl¹

¹Idaho National Laboratory, 2525 N. Fremont Avenue, 83415 Idaho Falls, ID USA.

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry

|March 3, 2018

Summary

A novel isotope separator significantly reduces costs for producing the radioactive isotope 133-Xenon. Its design enables efficient, high-purity separation of small quantities, applicable to other short-lived isotopes.

Keywords:

Ion beam intensity Isotope separator Radioactive xenon standards

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Area of Science:

Nuclear Physics
Radiochemistry
Isotope Separation

Background:

The preparation of radioactive isotopes like 133-Xenon is crucial for various scientific and medical applications.
Existing methods for isotope separation can be costly and inefficient, particularly for smaller quantities.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce a newly designed and operational isotope separator for 133-Xenon.
To highlight the design features and advantages that improve separation efficiency and reduce costs.

Main Methods:

Design and construction of a new isotope separator.
Routine operation for the separation of 133-Xenon.
Analysis of design features for high-purity separation.

Main Results:

Successful implementation of the new isotope separator for routine 133-Xenon production.
Demonstrated significant cost reduction in isotope preparation.
Achieved high-purity separation of relatively small quantities of 133-Xenon.

Conclusions:

The new isotope separator represents a major advancement in 133-Xenon production.
The design's advantages facilitate efficient separation of other short-lived radioactive isotopes.
This technology offers a cost-effective solution for radioactive isotope preparation.