Deuteron bombardment of the heavy elements.

Abstract

The results of the bombardment of mercury, lead and thallium by 9 M.e.V. deuterons are reported. The following radioactive isotopes have been detected: 5·5 min., 48 min., 36 hr., 60 day mercury isotopes; 4·4 min., 10·5 hr., 44 hr., and 13 day thallium isotopes; 10·25 min., 2·75 hr., and 54 hr. lead isotopes; 18 hr. and 6·35 day bismuth isotopes. The 10·25 min. lead isotope is positron emitting, an interesting result in an element of high atomic number. Absorption measurement have been made of the radiations emitted by many of these isotopes and assignments have been made in most cases.In conclusion we wish to thank Dr N. Feather for valuable discussions, and also for making for us a Ra E source. We are indebted to Dr Lewis for advice in setting up the thyratron scale of eight counter. This paper would be incomplete without a sincere acknowledgement of our indebtedness to the hard work of past members of this laboratory who have been mainly responsible for setting up the cyclotron.One of us (R. S. K.) is grateful to the Royal Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851 for the grant of an overseas scholarship which made this work possible.