| title |
Iron-55 |
| header |
| teaser |
/assets/images/spectra-th/Fe-55.png |
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| last_modified_at |
2025-01-03 22:00:00 +0200 |
Iron-55 (55Fe) is a radioactive isotope of iron with a nucleus containing 26 protons and 29 neutrons. It decays by electron capture to 55Mn and this process has a half-life of 2.737 years. The emitted X-rays can be used as an X-ray source for various scientific analysis methods, such as X-ray diffraction. 55Fe is also a source for Auger electrons, which are produced during the decay.
The K-alpha X-rays emitted by the 55Mn after the electron capture have been used as a laboratory source of X-rays in various X-ray scattering techniques. The advantages of the emitted X-rays are that they are monochromatic and are continuously produced over a years-long period. No electrical power is needed for this emission, which is ideal for portable X-ray instruments, such as X-ray fluorescence instruments.
<iframe width="100%" height="500" src="/assets/spectra/Fe-55.html" title="Fe-55 gamma spectrum" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
10 minute measurement with a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) radiation detector.
| Isotope: |
Iron |
| Mass number: |
55 |
| Atomic number: |
26 |
| Neutron number: |
29 |
| ... |
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