Po
Polonium
Z = 84 · Post-Transition Metal · 209.0 u
Nuclear Engineering Significance
Produced in lead-bismuth eutectic coolant via Bi-209(n,γ)Bi-210→Po-210. Po-210 is a highly radiotoxic alpha emitter (t₁/₂ = 138.4 d) that volatilizes readily, making it the dominant radiological hazard in LBE-cooled reactor systems. Drives extensive cover gas and filtration system design requirements.
Basic properties
- Atomic number (Z)
- 84
- Standard atomic mass
- 209.0 u
- Category
- Post-Transition Metal
Isotopes & cross-section data
No nuclide data for this element in the reference database.
The NRDP database focuses on nuclides relevant to reactor physics. For full isotope data, see NNDC NuDat 3.