Half-life of Th232 and the branching ratio of Bi212

Physical Review
By: , and 

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Abstract

The half-life of Th232 has been calculated by determining an absolute gamma-disintegration rate for Tl208 in equilibrium with Th232 for three old thorium nitrate salts and one natural thorite sample. The branching ratio, α/(α+β), for Bi212, a necessary parameter in the calculation, was also measured. The half-life of Th232 was found to be 1.42×1010 years within an estimated error of 5%, which is essentially in agreement with the presently accepted value. The branching ratio, α/(α+β), of Bi212 was found to be 0.362±0.006, about 7.4% higher than the currently accepted value.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Half-life of Th232 and the branching ratio of Bi212
Series title Physical Review
DOI 10.1103/PhysRev.104.1629
Volume 104
Issue 6
Year Published 1956
Language English
Publisher American Physical Society
Description 4 p.
First page 1629
Last page 1632
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