Bi
Bismuth
Z = 83 · Post-Transition Metal · 209.0 u
Nuclear Engineering Significance
Component of lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE, 44.5% Pb/55.5% Bi) coolant for fast reactors and accelerator-driven systems. Very low thermal absorption (σ_a = 0.034 b). Bi-209 captures neutrons to produce Po-210 (α-emitter, t₁/₂ = 138 d), which is the primary radiological challenge of LBE coolant.
Basic properties
- Atomic number (Z)
- 83
- Standard atomic mass
- 209.0 u
- Category
- Post-Transition Metal
Isotopes & cross-section data
| Isotope | Mass (A) | Half-life | ZAID | Libraries |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bi-209 | 209 | Stable | .80c.71c.70c |