The neutron-rich nuclides ${}_{}{}^{109}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Tc}$ and ${}_{}{}^{110}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Tc}$, produced by thermal-neutron-induced fission of ${}_{}{}^{249}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Cf}$, have been identified using a fast automated chemical procedure for the separation of technetium from the fission product mixture. Half-lives of 1.4±0.4 and 1.0±0.2 sec for ${}_{}{}^{109}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Tc}$ and ${}_{}{}^{110}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Tc}$, respectively, have been deduced from $\gamma$-ray spectra of the technetium fraction.

RADIOACTIVITY ${}_{}{}^{109}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Tc}$, ${}_{}{}^{110}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Tc}$, measured $T_{\frac{1}{2}}$. Fission ${}_{}{}^{249}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Cf} (n_{\mathrm{th}},f)$; automated chemical separation procedure, Ge(Li) detector.

• Received 2 September 1975

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.13.872