Fall 2016 RDCH 702 Lecture 11: Application of Nuclear Material

The lecture provides examples of the use of radioactive isotopes. The methods used for isotope production are discussed. The difference between isotope production by accelerators and reactors is highlighted. Reactor isotope products are primarily neutron rich; while accelerator produced isotopes tend to be neutron poor. Isotopes used in the generation of neutrons are provided. These neutron generating sources are small with a relatively low neutron generating rate. They are used in element and compound identification. Examples of isotopes used as ionization sources are provided. The discussion focuses on the use of ²⁴¹Am for smoke detection and ⁶³Ni for explosives detection. The importance of ²³⁸Pu as a heat source is provided, with examples given for space exploration. A number of isotopes used in radiopharmaceuticals are introduced. Comparisons are given for diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.