betaplusstråling

Betaplusstråling, also known as positron emission, is a type of radioactive decay where an atomic nucleus releases a positron and a neutrino. A positron is the antiparticle of an electron, having the same mass but a positive charge. This process occurs in proton-rich atomic nuclei, where the number of protons exceeds the number of neutrons. During betaplus decay, a proton within the nucleus transforms into a neutron, emitting a positron and an electron neutrino. This transformation results in the atomic number of the element decreasing by one, while the mass number remains unchanged. For example, carbon-11 decays via betaplus emission into boron-11. The emitted positrons are highly energetic and short-lived, quickly interacting with surrounding matter. Upon encountering an electron, the positron annihilates, producing two gamma rays with specific energies. This annihilation process is the fundamental principle behind Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging, a vital medical diagnostic tool. PET scans utilize radioactive isotopes that undergo betaplus decay to trace biological processes within the body. The detection of the annihilation gamma rays allows for the reconstruction of three-dimensional images, providing valuable information about metabolic activity and disease states.