Positron emission

Positron emission is a type of beta decay, sometimes referred to as "beta plus" (β+). In beta plus decay, a proton is converted to a neutron via the weak nuclear force and a beta plus particle (a positron) and a neutrino are emitted.

Related Topics:
Proton - Neutron - Weak nuclear force - Beta plus particle - Positron - Neutrino

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Isotopes which emit positrons include Carbon-11, Nitrogen-13, Oxygen-15 and Fluorine-18; for example:

Related Topics:
Carbon - Nitrogen-13 - Oxygen-15 - Fluorine

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These isotopes are used in positron emission tomography.

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Electron capture is a competing decay mode in this process and is energetically favored, but as the energy difference goes up so does the branching ratio towards positron emission.

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