52Fe

52Fe is a radioactive isotope of iron. Its nucleus contains 26 protons and 26 neutrons. 52Fe has a half-life of 8.275 hours. It decays primarily through electron capture to manganese-52 (52Mn). A small percentage of its decays also result in positron emission. The decay products of 52Fe are themselves radioactive. 52Fe is produced in nuclear reactors and through nuclear reactions.

Due to its radioactive nature, 52Fe is used in certain medical applications, particularly in diagnostic imaging. Its gamma ray emissions can be detected by specialized equipment to study the function of organs and tissues. In nuclear medicine, it is sometimes used as a tracer. The short half-life of 52Fe makes it suitable for these applications as it decays relatively quickly after administration, minimizing long-term radiation exposure to the patient. It is not a naturally occurring isotope of iron found in significant quantities on Earth.