While macroscopic radioactive decay is well understood and has been utilized for decades; nanoscale effects of radioactive decay have barely been explored. We have synthesized one atom thick films of radioactive iodine-125 on gold that are stable in ambient conditions and can be handled safely. STM supported by simulation shows the atomic-scale structure of the films and the appearance of individual atoms of tellurium-125, the radioactive decay product. Using XPS we have verified the chemical composition of our samples and characterized the oxidation of daughter tellurium atoms.  Electron spectroscopy reveals a multitude of low energy secondary electrons from the decay process. These lower energy electrons are the main drivers of radiation-induced chemical reactions, biological damage and radiation therapy. Therefore, 2D radioactive films offer a platform for understanding the microscopic details of these processes. Furthermore, the geometry of metal-supported 2D films more than quadruples the secondary electron yield making patterned monolayer films or coated nanoparticles spatially well-defined sources of higher intensity, tunable secondary electrons.

Atomic picture of nuclear decay in stable 2D radioactive films<br />

249th National Meeting (2015)

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