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Americium-241 (241 Am, Am-241) is an isotope of americium. Like all isotopes of americium, it is radioactive , with a half-life of 432.2 years . 241 Am is the most common isotope of americium as well as the most prevalent isotope of americium in nuclear waste .
Americium-241 is also suitable for calibration of gamma-ray spectrometers in the low-energy range, since its spectrum consists of nearly a single peak and negligible Compton continuum (at least three orders of magnitude lower intensity). [115] Americium-241 gamma rays were also used to provide passive diagnosis of thyroid function.
Americium-241 is the most common isotope of americium in nuclear waste. [8] It is the isotope used in an americium smoke detector based on an ionization chamber . It is a potential fuel for long-lifetime radioisotope thermoelectric generators .
Americium-241 has been used as a source of low energy gamma photons, it has been used in some applications such as portable X-ray fluorescence equipment and common household ionizing smoke detectors. Americium-241 is produced from 239
Plutonium and uranium in grades normally used in nuclear weapons are the ... Neptunium-237 and some isotopes of americium might be ... americium-241: 432.2: 55–77: ...
Americium-241 is an alpha emitter with a half-life of 432.6 years. [23] Alpha particle radiation, as opposed to beta (electron) and gamma (electromagnetic) radiation, is used for two reasons: the alpha particles can ionize enough air to make a detectable current; and they have low penetrative power, meaning they will be stopped, safely, by the ...
For example, it is commonly used in smoke detectors. Americium can be formed by neutron capture of 239 Pu and 240 Pu, forming 241 Pu which then beta decays to 241 Am. [4] In general, as the energy of the neutrons increases, the ratio of the fission cross section to the neutron capture cross section changes in favour of fission.
Americium-241, an alpha emitter, is used in smoke detectors. The alpha particles ionize air in an open ion chamber and a small current flows through the ionized air. Smoke particles from the fire that enter the chamber reduce the current, triggering the smoke detector's alarm. Radium-223 is also an alpha emitter. It is used in the treatment of ...