Lu-176

Lutetium-176 (Lu-176) is a naturally occurring isotope of lutetium, with a natural abundance of approximately 2.6%. It is a radioactive isotope with a very long half-life of about 37.8 billion years, making it nearly stable over geological timescales. Lu-176 undergoes beta decay to hafnium-176 (Hf-176), emitting beta particles and low-energy gamma radiation in the process. Its gamma emissions include characteristic lines at energies such as 88 keV and 202 keV, making it highly detectable and useful in gamma spectrometry.

Lu-176 is primarily used in geochronology and cosmochemistry. Its long half-life makes it an excellent tool for radiometric dating of rocks and meteorites, helping scientists study the age and evolution of Earth and the solar system. Additionally, Lu-176 is utilized in gamma spectroscopy as a calibration standard due to its well-defined gamma emissions. In medical research.

Lu-176 is found naturally as a minor component of lutetium in minerals such as monazite and xenotime, which are rich in rare earth elements. These minerals are commonly mined in regions with significant rare earth deposits, such as China, the United States, and Australia. Lu-176 is present in trace amounts in the Earth's crust and contributes to natural background radiation.

Lutetium is not found in nature in concentrated form. But you can buy it in chemical stores in different compound variants. also, scintillation crystals are made based on it.