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Updated: Oct 16, 2025
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Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
Published on: May 3, 2019
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Measurement of the 145Sm half-life
Summary
The half-life of Samarium-145 (Sm-145) was precisely measured using a reference source method. This study determined the Sm-145 half-life to be 345 (16) days, improving upon scarce existing data.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- Radiochemistry
Background:
- Accurate half-life measurements are crucial for nuclear science and applications.
- Previous data for Samarium-145 (Sm-145) half-life is limited and lacks detailed experimental documentation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a precise measurement of the Sm-145 half-life.
- To provide a reliable value for the Sm-145 half-life, addressing the scarcity of current data.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the reference source method with a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector.
- Employed Titanium-44 (Ti-44) as a long-lived reference radionuclide mixed within the source.
- Monitored the time-dependent Sm-145/Ti-44 activity ratio via characteristic gamma-ray emissions (61.2 keV for Sm-145, 67.9/78.3 keV for Ti-44).
- Performed 220 measurements over 384 days, encompassing approximately one half-life period.
Main Results:
- Determined the half-life of Sm-145 to be 345 (16) days.
- The experimental uncertainty budget was meticulously analyzed, considering random, autocorrelated, and systematic errors.
- The obtained half-life value is consistent with limited existing literature data.
Conclusions:
- The measured half-life of Sm-145 provides a more accurate and well-documented value.
- This research contributes valuable data to the field of nuclear metrology.
- Highlights the importance of detailed experimental reporting for radionuclide characterization.
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