Abstract
TECHNETIUM-99m is becoming an important tracer for many diagnostic investigations; for example, brain scanning and thyroid scanning1,2. Its chief advantages are that it has a short half-life and emits an essentially mono-energetic γ-ray which is only slightly internally converted. Hence quite large activities of technetium-99m can be safely administered to patients. So far this nuclide has only been assayed by comparing it with a standard of some other nuclide—for example, cobalt-57 (ref. 3)—and no absolute measurements have been reported. However, as will be shown here, it is possible to make an absolute measurement by the 4πβ-γ coincidence technique4. (The National Physical Laboratory plans to distribute standards of technetium-99m, calibrated by this technique, in October 1966, to users within 12 h travelling time of Teddington.)
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References
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GOODIER, I., WILLIAMS, A. Measurement of the Absolute Disintegration Rate of Technetium-99m. Nature 210, 614–615 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1038/210614b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/210614b0
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