Trace Sciences International

Rubidium Isotopes

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

85 Rb

84.911794 (3)

72.165 (13)

chloride, carbonate

95 – 99+

87 Rb

86.909187 (3)

27.835 (13)

chloride, metal, carbonate

98 – 99+

Both Rubidium Isotopes have medical and industrial applications. Rb-87 is used as a frequency standard in high-precision timing equipment such as GPS receivers. It also used in the production of Bose-Einstein condensates and in laser cooling. Rb-85 is used for the production of the radioisotope Rb-86 which is used as a tracer. Rb-85 can also be used for the production of Sr-82, which is used in Sr-82/Rb-82 generators, though Sr-82 is generally produced with natural Rubidium.