Radiochemical separation and identification of short-lived tungsten, tantalum, and hafmium isotopes

Methods were examined for continuous radiochemical separation of short-lived W, Ta, and Hf isotopes obtained in nuclear reactions with heavy ions. Studies were made on the efficiency of radioactive nuclide transport from a cyclotron beam target to the chemical laboratory, using an aerosol stream (N/sub 2/ + KCl) followed by filtration and then dissolution of the particulate matter. Conditions were chosen for sequential chemical separation of these periodic-system-adjacent elements. Fast methods were developed capable of a 10-20 sec identification of new, short-lived W, Ta and Hf isotopes.