Table 1.
Main characteristics of the currently available α-particle-emitting radionuclides.
| Isotope | Daughter isotopes* | Physical half-life | Maximum energy (keV) | Occurrence (%) | Associated emissions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 211At | – | 7.2 h | 5.867 | α (41.8%) | α, γ, LEE |
| 211Po | 516 ms | 7.450 | α (100%) | ||
| 225Ac | – | 10 days | 5.830 | α (100%) | α, γ, Auger, β− |
| 221Fr | 4.9 min | 6.341 | α (100%) | ||
| 217At | 32.3 ms | 7.069 | α (99.98%)/β− (0.01%) | ||
| 213Bi | 45.6 min | 6.051 | α (2.2%)/β−(97.8%) | ||
| 213Po | 4.2 µs | 8.377 | α (100%) | ||
| 213Bi | – | 45.6 min | 6.051 | α (2.2%)/β− (97.8%) | α, γ, Auger, β− |
| 213Po | 4.2 µs | 8.377 | α (100%) | ||
| 212Bi | – | 61 min | 5.870 | α (36%)/β− (64%) | α, γ, Auger, β− |
| 212Po | 298 ns | 8.785 | α (100%) | ||
| 227Th | – | 18.72 days | 6.038 | α (100%) | α, γ, Auger, β− |
| 223Ra | 11.4 days | 5.871 | α (100%) | ||
| 219Rn | 4 s | 6.819 | α (100%) | ||
| 215Po | 1.8 ms | 7.386 | α (100%) | ||
| 211Bi | 2.14 min | 6.623 | α (99.7%)/β− (0.3%) | ||
| 212Pb | – | 10.64 h | β− (100%) | β− | |
| 212Bi | 61 min | 5.870 | α (36%)/β− (64%) | α, γ, Auger, β− | |
| 212Po | 0.3 μs | 8.785 | α (100%) | ||
| 223Ra | – | 11.4 days | 5.871 | α (100%) | α, γ, Auger, β− |
| 219Rn | 4 s | 6.819 | α (100%) | ||
| 215Po | 1.8 ms | 7.386 | α (100%) | ||
| 211Bi | 2.14 min | 6.623 | α (99.7%)/β− (0.3%) |
*Generated α-particle emitter after decay of the conjugated parent.
LEE: Low-energy electron emission; NS: yield not significant.