Positron emission

Nuclear processes

Radioactive decay processes Alpha decay Beta decay Cluster decay Double beta decay Electron capture Gamma radiation Internal conversion Neutron emission Positron emission Proton emission Spontaneous fission Nucleosynthesis Neutron Capture The R-process The S-process Proton capture: The P-process

Positron emission is a type of beta decay, sometimes referred to as "beta plus" (β⁺). In beta plus decay, a proton is converted to a neutron via the weak nuclear force and a beta plus particle (a positron) and a neutrino are emitted. Isotopes which emit positrons include Carbon-11, Nitrogen-13, Oxygen-15 and Fluorine-18; for example:

These isotopes are used in positron emission tomography.

See also

• Beta decay

See also: Positron emission, Alpha decay, Beta decay, Beta plus particle, Carbon, Cluster decay, Double beta decay, Electron capture, Fluorine