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Medical · TheranosticNovel
Co
27
57

Cobalt-57

A long-lived gamma emitter (271.8 days) widely used as a calibration and reference source for gamma cameras, flood-field uniformity, and Mössbauer spectroscopy.

t½ 271.8 daysElectron Capture (γ)
27 e⁻4 shells

Atomic Structure

27
Protons
30
Neutrons
K2 e⁻
L8 e⁻
M15 e⁻
N2 e⁻

Applications

  • Gamma camera calibration
  • Mössbauer spectroscopy source
  • Vitamin B₁₂ studies
  • In-vitro diagnostic kits

Production

Reaction
⁵⁸Ni(p,pn)⁵⁷Co
Target
Enriched ⁵⁸Ni
Source
30 MeV Cyclotron
16 MeV CyclotronLimited
30 MeV CyclotronYes
70 MeV CyclotronYes
Nuclear ReactorYes

⁵⁸Ni(p,pn)⁵⁷Co or reactor ⁵⁶Fe(n,γ)⁵⁷Fe→⁵⁷Co.