DOE Strengthens Domestic Isotope Supply of Bi-207

Driven by recent demand, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Isotope R&D and Production, within the Office of Science, has reestablished the capability to provide Bismuth-207 (Bi-207) and is currently the only domestic producer of this isotope.

Bi-207, with a half-life of 31.55 years, is a radioisotope commonly used as a gamma calibration source across the nuclear industry and in scientific research applications. Bi-207 is produced at the Isotope Production Facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory through proton bombardment of a natural lead target with a radionuclide purity of >99%.