Re: Alpha emitters

["Ron L. Kathren" <rkathren@beta.tricity.wsu.edu>]

This phenomenon, known as 'alpha creep' does in fact occur, although the 
recoil energy is really not large enough to move the rather large 
nucleus.  Disregarding the mechanism, rest assured that old timers like 
me are aware of it, and that it is particularly significant with Po-218.  
But I simply cannot recall any specific literature addressing the 
problem.  You might try Hugh Henry's book -- he had a lot of little 
tidbits like this in it.

Ron Kathren

On Mon, 24 Oct 1994, USHINO, TOSH wrote:

> I recall having heard that transuranics (i.e. alpha emitters), if 
> you leave a container open or if present as surface contamination, 
> would disperse itself all over the place, while beta/gamma 
> emitters would tend to stay put.  Transuranics are suppose to 
> become dispersed because of recoil from alpha emissions, like a 
> little rocket engine, would kick particles backwards.
> 
> I recall that this was sort of like DOE tribal knowledge.  Does 
> anyone recall having heard something like that?  Is there any 
> studies you heard of that address this issue?
> 
> Thank you in advance.
> Tosh Ushino
> SONGS
> 
> 
>