X-Nico

3 unusual facts about radioactive decay


P-nuclei

In a p-process protons are added to stable or weakly radioactive atomic nuclei.

In extreme cases (as discussed below) this leads to the synthesis of extremely short-lived radionuclides which decay to stable nuclides only after the captures cease.

Radioactive decay

In 1927, Hermann Joseph Muller published research showing genetic effects, and in 1946 was awarded the Nobel prize for his findings.


John Mitchell Nuttall

He is best remembered for his work with the physicist Hans Geiger, which resulted in the Geiger-Nuttall law of radioactive decay.

Rectilinear scanner

Before the invention of the rectilinear scanner in 1950 by Benedict Cassen, nuclear medicine pioneers used to move their insensitive Geiger Counters over different parts of the body, which resulted in a fairly crude determination of the distribution of radioactivity.


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