Decay constants of the internal conversion of metallic /sup 99m/Tc

Among the decay constants for the internal conversion of /sup 99m/Tc the values obtained from metallic samples are subject to unusually high scattering. Some measurements reveal an interdependence between this scattering and certain sample parameters (thickness, homogeneity, degree of reduction). On the basis of a theoretical scattered wave pattern for the chemical effects on the internal conversion of /sup 99m/Tc it is becoming evident that inadequate sample preparation results in a shift of the measured values. Taking this into account, it is possible to use the measurement of decay constants of the internal conversion of /sup 99m/Tc for estimating the quality of thin metallic technetium layers. (author)