136Ce

136Ce, or cerium-136, is a nucleus of the element cerium with atomic number 58 and mass number 136. It is one of the isotopes of cerium identified in nuclear physics research. The nucleus comprises 58 protons and 78 neutrons. 136Ce is not a major constituent of natural cerium and has typically been observed only in laboratory settings, such as irradiation experiments or as a fragment in nuclear reactions.

Decay and stability: 136Ce is a radioactive nuclide, and its decay characteristics depend on the specific nuclear state. In general, isotopes in this region decay by beta emission or related processes, often accompanied by gamma radiation from excited states. The measured half-life can vary between different energy states, and some isotopes exhibit short-lived isomeric forms with distinct decay properties.

Production: 136Ce can be produced through multiple pathways, including neutron irradiation of cerium or neighboring elements, spallation or fragmentation of heavier nuclei, and as a fission fragment in reactors or accelerators. Its identification relies on mass analysis and gamma spectroscopy in experimental facilities.

Occurrence and significance: Because it occurs only in trace quantities outside controlled experiments, 136Ce has limited natural presence. It is of interest primarily to nuclear structure studies, isotopic dating methods in special circumstances, and as part of broader databases cataloging cerium isotopes, such as those used in NuDat or ENSDF.

See also: Isotopes of cerium, Nuclear isomer, Fission product.