Po215

Polonium-215 (Po-215) is a radioactive isotope of the element polonium (chemical symbol Po) with a mass number of 215. It is a synthetic nuclide and does not occur naturally in any appreciable quantity.

In terms of nuclear composition, Po-215 has 84 protons, giving it the polonium identity, and 131 neutrons. Like other heavy polonium isotopes, it is highly unstable and radioactive. The most likely decay mode is alpha decay, which would reduce the mass by 4 and the atomic number by 2, producing lead-211 (Pb-211) as the daughter nuclide. Specific decay energies and half-life values for Po-215 are not widely cited in standard reference works, reflecting its status as a relatively obscure and short‑lived isotope observed mainly in research contexts.

Po-215 is produced only in specialized facilities such as nuclear reactors or particle accelerators. It can arise as a direct product of nuclear reactions on heavier targets or as a transient decay product of other polonium isotopes. Because of its alpha radiation, Po-215 poses significant radiological hazards if ingested or inhaled, while external exposure is less penetrating but still requires proper shielding and handling precautions.

Overall, Po-215 is characterized by its synthetic origin, short-lived nature, and dominant alpha decay to Pb-211, placing it among the less commonly encountered polonium isotopes used primarily for experimental or theoretical studies in nuclear science.