Ce144

Ce-144, or cerium-144, is a radioactive isotope of the lanthanide cerium (atomic number 58) with a mass number of 144. It is not produced naturally in any significant quantity and is instead generated as a fission product in nuclear reactors and during nuclear fission processes.

Ce-144 decays by beta minus emission to praseodymium-144 (Pr-144). The half-life of Ce-144 is about 284.9 days. Pr-144 then decays by beta minus emission to neodymium-144 (Nd-144), which is stable, with Pr-144 having a half-life of about 17.3 minutes. The decay chain emits beta radiation and gamma rays from the daughter decays, contributing to detectable radiological emissions.

Production and occurrence: Ce-144 is commonly produced in nuclear reactor fuel through fission of uranium-235 or plutonium-239. It is a component of spent nuclear fuel and other fission product inventories, rather than a material produced for practical applications on its own.

Role and significance: In spent fuel and waste streams, Ce-144 is one of the longer-lived fission products that continues to generate heat for months to years after irradiation. Its presence affects waste characterization, cooling requirements, and radiological safety assessments for storage, transport, and decommissioning.

Handling and safety: As a beta-emitting radionuclide, Ce-144 requires appropriate shielding and handling procedures to minimize exposure. It is typically encountered as part of complex mixtures of fission products and is regulated within licensed nuclear facilities and waste management programs.