Preferences

> Dose rates at the surface of the pacemaker are approximately 5 to 15 mrem per hour from the emitted gamma rays and neutrons.

Where are these gamma rays and neutrons coming from? The decay chain for Pu-238 is via alpha emission (Pu-238 -> U-234 -> Th-230 -> ...) which won't penetrate the casing.


Not sure about neutrons. Gammas, or x-rays at least, could come from bremmstrahlung.
Alpha particles will produce secondary radiation occasionally when they hit light nuclei. The oxygen in the Pu oxide is almost entirely O-16 to minimize neutron production.
Possibly Pu-239 or other impurities.
All U and Pu isotopes undergo spontaneous fission, producing neutrons and random daughter products.
Some very small portion of Pu-238 will eventually pass through Tl-210 -> Pb-209.

This item has no comments currently.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Story Lists

j
Next story
k
Previous story
Shift+j
Last story
Shift+k
First story
o Enter
Go to story URL
c
Go to comments
u
Go to author

Navigation

Shift+t
Go to top stories
Shift+n
Go to new stories
Shift+b
Go to best stories
Shift+a
Go to Ask HN
Shift+s
Go to Show HN

Miscellaneous

?
Show this modal