160Gd

Gadolinium-160 (160Gd) is a stable isotope of the element gadolinium, which is a silvery-white, malleable, and paramagnetic lanthanide metal belonging to the periodic table's f-block. Gadolinium has the atomic number 64 and a natural isotopic abundance that is predominantly composed of its stable isotopes, with 160Gd being one of the less abundant forms.

160Gd possesses 64 protons and 96 neutrons in its nucleus, giving it an atomic mass of approximately 159.9252 atomic mass units. It is characterized by its stability, meaning it does not undergo radioactive decay. This stability makes 160Gd useful in various scientific applications, including neutron capture studies and as a target material in nuclear physics experiments.

In nature, gadolinium exists as a mixture of its isotopes, with 160Gd contributing a small fraction. Its natural abundance is roughly 21.9%. The isotope is often produced synthetically for research purposes or extracted from natural sources during isotope separation processes.

Gadolinium-160 is noteworthy in nuclear science for its relatively high neutron capture cross-section compared to other Gd isotopes, making it a valuable component in nuclear reactor control rods and shielding. Its magnetic properties also contribute to its use in medical imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), where gadolinium-based contrast agents are employed, although 160Gd itself is not directly used as a contrast agent.

Overall, 160Gd's stable character and physical properties underpin its significance in scientific research, nuclear technology, and medical applications involving gadolinium compounds.