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Medical · Therapeutic
Y
39
90

Yttrium-90

A pure beta emitter (β⁻) and one of the most established therapeutic isotopes — the active radionuclide in liver radioembolization microspheres and radioimmunotherapy.

t½ 64 hoursBeta Minus (β⁻)
39 e⁻5 shells

Atomic Structure

39
Protons
51
Neutrons
K2 e⁻
L8 e⁻
M18 e⁻
N9 e⁻
O2 e⁻

Applications

  • Liver radioembolization (microspheres)
  • Radioimmunotherapy
  • Peptide receptor therapy
  • Theranostic pairing with Y-86

Production

Reaction
⁸⁹Y(n,γ)⁹⁰Y
Target
Yttrium-89
Source
Nuclear Reactor
16 MeV CyclotronNo
30 MeV CyclotronNo
70 MeV CyclotronNo
Nuclear ReactorYes

Reactor route ⁸⁹Y(n,γ)⁹⁰Y or ⁹⁰Sr/⁹⁰Y generator.