Production of 242mAm

The isotope 242mAm is an interesting nuclide as it shows one of the known highest neutron fission cross-section. This could be useful in some special applications, like nuclear reactors for space propulsion, electricity production by direct energy conversion and small-core nuclear reactors. However its availability, in particular at high isotopic abundance, is at present a serious drawback. e experimentally tested a growth model for the production of 242mAm by means of Am 241 ( n , γ ) Am 242 m reaction in thermal nuclear reactors. The obtained results are found to be in agreement with the model itself.