144Ce144Pr

144Ce144Pr refers to the radioactive decay pair cerium-144 and its short-lived daughter praseodymium-144, often discussed as a generator system. Cerium-144 is produced as a fission product in nuclear reactors and has a half-life of about 284.9 days. It decays by beta-minus emission to praseodymium-144, which has a much shorter half-life of about 17.3 minutes and decays by beta-minus emission to the stable isotope neodymium-144. The combination forms a generator in which 144Pr is continually produced from 144Ce and then decays rapidly, allowing radiative emissions to be obtained on demand.

Decay characteristics and radiation: Both nuclides in the chain emit beta radiation and gamma rays. The short-lived 144Pr provides a burst of radiation shortly after elution, while 144Ce provides a long-lived source that sustains production over time. The final product, Nd-144, is stable, so the generator relies on ongoing decay of the parent to maintain output. Shielding and remote handling are required due to the penetrating gamma radiation and beta emissions from the materials.

Production and applications: The 144Ce/144Pr pair is typically produced from processed spent nuclear fuel and assembled into sealed-source generators. In sealed-source form, a column containing 144Ce can elute 144Pr for experiments or calibrations. Applications include research, detector calibration, and image-guided procedures in some medical and industrial contexts. Use is subject to regulatory controls and depends on technical capabilities for safe handling, shielding, and waste management.

Safety and regulation: The long half-life of Ce-144 and the radiological characteristics of the chain necessitate stringent shielding, monitoring, and licensing. Proper containment and disposal are essential throughout manufacture, deployment, and end-of-life management.