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Radiations emitted in the decay of 165 Er: A promising medical radionuclide
Author(s) -
Rao Dandamudi V.,
Hallee Gary J.,
Ottlinger Michael E.,
Sastry Kandula S. R.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.594363
Subject(s) - electron , auger effect , photon , radionuclide , atomic physics , nuclear physics , electron capture , physics , impurity , radiochemistry , materials science , chemistry , optics , quantum mechanics
The 10.3‐h 165 Er, decaying by electron capture to stable 165 Ho, offers an excellent promise for use in diagnostic nuclear medicine, especially in conjuction with multiwire proportional‐counter cameras. Using an ultra‐high‐resolution Si(Li) photon spectrometer, L and K x‐ray photon yields in 165 Er decay have been measured. The ratio P L / P K of electron‐capture probabilities in L and K shells is determined to be 0.196±0.030, in good agreement with theory. Estimates of Auger electron yields and yields of very‐low‐energy electrons from Coster–Kronig transitions are presented. Levels of 169 Er and 171 Er radioactive impurities in the reactor‐produced 165 Er sample are experimentally determined. Whole‐body dose estimates for 165 Er are given. These compare favorably with 99m Tc dose.