144Pr

144Pr is a radioactive isotope of the lanthanide element praseodymium (atomic number 59) with a mass number of 144. It does not occur naturally in any appreciable amount and is produced in nuclear reactions, most notably as part of the decay chain of 144Ce and in certain reactor or accelerator processes.

Decay and half-life

144Pr decays primarily by beta-minus emission to 144Nd, with gamma radiation accompanying the decay. Its half-life is relatively short on a human timescale, on the order of minutes. The short-lived nature of 144Pr means it appears in decay chains for a limited period before reaching the stable Nd-144.

Production and relation to other isotopes

In nuclear reactors and other irradiation environments, 144Ce produced by fission decays to 144Pr, and then to stable 144Nd. This Ce‑Pr sequence is a common source of 144Pr in calibration sources and certain radiological applications. While natural praseodymium is dominated by the stable Pr-141 isotope, 144Pr itself is a synthetic, radioactive nuclide generated through specific nuclear reactions.

Applications and safety

Due to its beta and gamma emissions, 144Pr is handled under appropriate radiological safety protocols. Isotopes in the 144Ce/144Pr decay chain have been used in calibration of gamma detectors and in research contexts where short-lived beta-gamma emitters are useful. Regulatory controls apply to production, transport, and use of such radioactive materials.

See also

Praseodymium isotopes; 144Ce; 144Nd.