Aluminium-26
Aluminium-26 (26Al, Al-26) is a radioactive isotope of aluminium. It decays by either positron emission or electron capture to magnesium-26. The half-life of 26Al is 7.17×105 years. A small amount of aluminium-26 is made when atoms hit cosmic ray protons.[1]
When aluminium-26 decays it also produces gamma rays and x-rays. Because it is radioactive, it is usually kept behind at least 5 centimetres (2 in) of lead. We use special tools to transfer, use, and store aluminium-26.[2]
Aluminium-26 Media
- COMPTEL 26Al galaxy.jpg
The distribution of 26Al in Milky Way
References
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Identifiers at line 630: attempt to index field 'known_free_doi_registrants_t' (a nil value).
- ↑ Nuclide Safety Data Sheet Aluminum-26 (PDF). National Health& Physics Society.
