Trace Sciences International

Germanium Isotopes

Nominal Mass
Accurate Mass
% Natural Abundance
Chemical Form
Enrichment Available %

70 Ge

69.9242497 (16)
20.84 (87)

metal

95 – 96+

72 Ge

71.9220789 (16)
27.54 (34)

metal, oxide

82 – 97+

73 Ge

72.9234626 (16)
7.73 (5)

metal

95 – 96+

74 Ge

73.9211774 (15)
36.28 (73)

metal, oxide

94 to 99+

76 Ge

75.9214016 (17)
7.61 (38)

metal, oxide

96 – 98+
Germanium Isotopes are mainly used for the production of medical As and Se radioisotopes. Ge-74 is used for the production of As-74, Ge-76 for the production of As-77, Ge-74 for the production of As-73 and Ge-72 for As-72. Ge-70, Ge-72 and Ge-74 can all be used for the production of the medical radioisotope Se-73, although the most common production route is via natural As (As-75). Natural GeF4 is used in the semiconductor pre-amorphisation implant process. The use of Ge-72, in the form of GeF4, improves this process and reduces contamination. Finally, Ge-76 is used to study double beta decay.