ruthenium103

Ruthenium-103 is a radioactive isotope of ruthenium, a chemical element with the symbol Ru and atomic number 44. It is one of the many isotopes of ruthenium, which has seven naturally occurring isotopes and numerous synthetic ones. Ruthenium-103 has a half-life of approximately 39.26 days, making it a medium-lived isotope. It decays through beta minus decay to the stable isotope rhodium-103. Ruthenium-103 is primarily used in scientific research, particularly in studies involving nuclear chemistry and radiochemistry. Its radioactive properties make it useful in tracer studies and as a calibration standard for radiation detection equipment. Due to its relatively short half-life, ruthenium-103 is not commonly used in medical applications, unlike some other radioactive isotopes. The production of ruthenium-103 typically involves neutron irradiation of ruthenium-102 in a nuclear reactor. The isotope is not considered hazardous in small quantities, but proper handling and disposal procedures should be followed to ensure safety.