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Table 3-2 Position of praseodymium-125, -127 in the nuclear chart

Fig. 3-16 The apparatus used for the discovery of new isotopes : radiation detection system with a tape transport of short-lived isotopes

Fig. 3-17 The apparatus used for the discovery of new isotopes

About one hundred elements are ordered in the periodic table. It is considered that the number of isotopes associated with the elements theoretically reaches several thousands. If we were able to obtain all of information on the isotopes, we should be able to elucidate detailed nuclear structure and solve riddles related to the synthesis of elements in stars. However, accurate information of only about half of them are confirmed and the other half are not yet discovered, consequently the information obtained is incomplete. Research which aims to discover new isotopes is carried out throughout the world. It will become increasingly difficult to discover new isotopes in the future. A joint research between the Japan Atomic Research Institute and the Department of Technology of the Nagoya University has been successful in the isolation of an infinitesimal quantity of 125Pr and in its identification. It is considered that this success is based on the following two excellent results. One is that the nuclear-fusion reaction between 36Ar and 92Mo was achieved by means of a high energy 36Ar beam with a strong intensity, and the other is that the measurement of very faint gamma rays and x-rays from the nuclide of interest was possible, following separation of various products resulting from the above mentioned nuclear reaction.

Reference A. Osa et al., Beta+ Decay of Unstable Praseodymium Isotopes: 127Pr, 126Pr and the New Isotope 125Pr, Nucl. Phys. A588, 185C (1995).

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