112Cd

112Cd, also known as cadmium-112, is a radioactive isotope of cadmium with a half-life of approximately 10.5 hours. It is produced through the decay of indium-112, which itself is a decay product of silver-112. Cadmium-112 decays through beta minus (β-) decay to stable silver-112, emitting a beta particle and an antineutrino in the process. This isotope is of particular interest in nuclear medicine and research due to its relatively short half-life and the ease with which it can be produced.

The production of cadmium-112 typically involves the irradiation of a cadmium target with neutrons, which induces the formation of indium-112. The indium-112 then decays to cadmium-112, which can be separated and purified for further use. This isotope has been used in various applications, including as a tracer in biological studies and in the calibration of radiation detection equipment.

Cadmium-112 is also a byproduct in the production of other isotopes, such as indium-111, which is commonly used in medical imaging. The management of cadmium-112, including its storage and disposal, is crucial to ensure the safety of personnel and the environment, given its radioactive nature. Proper shielding and containment measures are essential to minimize exposure to radiation.