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Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Preparing an Isotopically Pure 229Th Ion Beam for Studies of 229mTh
Published on: May 3, 2019
Thallium-208: A Beacon of In Situ Neutron Capture Nucleosynthesis
Nicole Vassh1, Xilu Wang2, Maude Larivière1,3
1TRIUMF, 4004 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2A3, Canada.
Abstract:
We demonstrate that the well-known 2.6 MeV gamma-ray emission line from thallium-208 could serve as a real-time indicator of astrophysical heavy element production, with both rapid (r) and intermediate (i) neutron capture processes capable of its synthesis. We consider the r process in a Galactic neutron star merger and show Tl-208 to be detectable from ∼12 hours to ∼ten days, and again ∼1-20 years postevent. Detection of Tl-208 represents the only identified prospect for a direct signal of lead production (implying gold synthesis), arguing for the importance of future MeV telescope missions which aim to detect Galactic events but may also be able to reach some nearby galaxies in the Local Group.
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