Radioactive Decay Modes
Mode | Definition |
β− | Negatron (electron) emission. Conversion of a neutron to a proton and emission of an electron and an antineutrino |
β+ | Positron emission. Conversion of a proton to a neutron and emission of an positron and an neutrino. Always in competition with EC decay. |
EC | Electron capture. Capture of an atomic electron converting a proton to a neutron and emission of a neutrino. |
α | Alpha (4He) emission. |
IT | Isomeric transition. γ-ray or conversion electron emission from an long-lived metastable state. γ-ray emission from short-lived excited states frequently accompanies all decay modes. |
SF | Spontaneous fission. Splitting of nucleus into to lighter nuclei, usually accompanied by neutron emission. |
p | Proton emission. |
n | Neutron emission. |
β−β− | Double negatron emission. Conversion of two neutrons to two protons and emission of two electrons and two antinuetrinos. |
ECEC | Double orbital electron capture. Conversion of two protons to two neutrons and emission of two positrons and two neutrinos. |
β−x | Negatron-delayed emission of x=n,2n,α,... |
ECx | Electron capture emission of x=p,α,SF,... |
14C | 14C emission. Other nuclei can also be emitted. |
It is generally true that a nucleus can decay by multiple alternative energetically possible decay modes. The decay branching intensities are given, when known. |