Updated decay data evaluation for ⁶⁸Ga

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Radiochemistry
• Metrology

Background:

• Accurate decay data are crucial for various applications, including medical imaging and nuclear science.
• Gallium-68 (⁶⁸Ga) is a positron-emitting radionuclide with significant use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET).
• Previous evaluations of ⁶⁸Ga decay data have encountered inconsistencies, particularly regarding its half-life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated and comprehensive evaluation of the decay data for the radionuclide ⁶⁸Ga.
• To critically assess and determine a recommended value for the ⁶⁸Ga half-life from a discrepant dataset.
• To apply the established methodology of the Decay Data Evaluation Project (DDEP) for rigorous data analysis.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the standardized methodology of the Decay Data Evaluation Project (DDEP) for data evaluation.
• Performed a detailed analysis of existing and recent half-life measurements for ⁶⁸Ga.
• Employed various statistical procedures to address data discrepancies and select a recommended half-life value.

Main Results:

• The evaluation confirms that recent half-life measurements have not resolved inconsistencies within the existing dataset.
• A recommended half-life value for ⁶⁸Ga has been established as 67.77 (14) minutes.
• The updated decay data provide a more reliable foundation for applications utilizing ⁶⁸Ga.

Conclusions:

• The recommended half-life of 67.77 (14) minutes for ⁶⁸Ga is derived from a careful statistical analysis of discrepant data.
• This updated evaluation contributes to the accuracy of nuclear data, essential for scientific and medical fields.
• The DDEP methodology ensures a consistent and reliable approach to radionuclide decay data assessment.