ISOTOPE GENERATOR KIT
The Cs-137/Ba-137m isotope generator kit is specifically designed for demonstrating the physical properties of radioactive decay.
CS137/BA-137M ISOTOPE GENERATOR
The Cs-137/Ba-137m isotope generator is based on the original Union Carbide patented design. It is designed for demonstrating the properties of radioactive decay. The complete isotope generator kit includes:
- (1) Cs-137/Ba-137m Isotope Generator
- (1) 250 mL bottle of eluting solution
- (1) Syringe
- (5) Stainless steel planchets
- (1) Operating instructions
Additional eluting solution, syringes, and planchets may be ordered separately.
CALIBRATION OPTIONS
Isotope generators are not available for calibration. The maximum deviation of the delivered activity from the nominal values listed is ±20%.
REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
Activities provided will not exceed the U.S. NRC Exempt Quantity limit.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions, please contact Spectrum Techniques for further assistance.
Isotope Generator Kit
The Cs-137/Ba-137m isotope generator kit includes: the isotope generator, one bottle of eluting solution, a syringe, and five sample planchets.
"Milking" the Isotope Generator
Ba-137m is separated from the Cs-137 by “milking” the isotope generator. This involves passing eluting solution through the generator.
Radioactive Decay
Radioactive decay is an exponential process – by graphing the decay of the Ba-137m a visually representation can be created.
WHY CS-137?
Cs-137 is a long-lived radioactive isotope with a half-life of 30.07 years. It undergoes radioactive decay by the emission of beta radiation, eventually transforming into the stable isotope Ba-137. This transition is completed either by direct conversion to stable Ba-137 (5.4%) or via the metastable energy state of Ba-137m (94.6%).
Ba-137m has a much shorter half-life of 2.55 minutes and decays through isomeric transition, emitting a gamma ray with an energy of 0.6617 MeV, ultimately becoming stable Ba-137.
HOW DOES A CS-137/BA-137M ISOTOPE GENERATOR WORK?
The isotope generator contains 10 µCi of Cs-137 securely bound to a specialized ion exchange medium. By using an eluting solution and applying gentle pressure through the isotope exchange column via a syringe, Barium-137 is selectively extracted from the ion exchange medium leaving the Cs-137 behind. This process is commonly referred to as ‘milking the generator.’
Tests have shown that the isotope generator may be milked many times in quick succession without totally depleting the Ba-137 isotope. Complete equilibrium can be reestablished within one-two hours and the recovery can be detected using a suitable measurement instrument.
