barium131

Barium-131 is a radioactive isotope of barium with a half-life of approximately 11.5 days. It is produced through the neutron activation of barium-130, which is the most abundant isotope of barium in nature. Barium-131 decays through beta minus (β-) decay, emitting electrons and antineutrinos, and ultimately transforming into the stable isotope cesium-131.

Barium-131 is used in various applications, including medical imaging and nuclear medicine. In medical imaging, it is used as a tracer in positron emission tomography (PET) scans to visualize the distribution of blood flow in the body. Its short half-life makes it suitable for short-term studies, as it decays quickly, minimizing the radiation dose to the patient.

In nuclear medicine, barium-131 is used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism. It is administered in the form of barium chloride, which is taken orally and accumulates in the thyroid gland. The beta particles emitted by barium-131 destroy the thyroid tissue, reducing the overactive thyroid function.

Barium-131 is also used in the calibration of radiation detectors and in the study of nuclear reactions. Its well-defined decay properties make it a useful standard for these applications. However, due to its radioactivity, barium-131 requires proper handling and disposal to minimize radiation exposure and environmental impact.