# Isotopes of cobalt

Naturally occurring cobalt, Co, consists of a single stable isotope, $^{59}$Co (thus, cobalt is a mononuclidic element). Twenty-eight radioisotopes have been characterized; the most stable are $^{60}$Co with a half-life of 5.2714 years, $^{57}$Co (271.811 days), $^{56}$Co (77.236 days), and $^{58}$Co (70.844 days). All other isotopes have half-lives of less than 18 hours and most of these have half-lives of less than 1 second. This element also has 19 meta states, of which the most stable is $^{58m1}$Co with a half-life of 8.853 h.
The isotopes of cobalt range in atomic weight from $^{50}$Co to $^{78}$Co. The main decay mode for isotopes with atomic mass less than that of the stable isotope, $^{59}$Co, is electron capture and the main mode of decay for those of greater than 59 atomic mass units is beta decay. The main decay products before $^{59}$Co are iron isotopes and the main products after are nickel isotopes.
Radioisotopes can be produced by various nuclear reactions. For example, $^{57}$Co is produced by cyclotron irradiation of iron. The main reaction is the (d,n) reaction $^{56}$Fe + $^2$H → n + $^{57}$Co.

## List of isotopes

| Nuclide | Z | N | Isotopic mass (Da) | Half-life | Decay mode | Daughter isotope | Spin and parity | Isotopic abundance |
| Isotopic abundance |||
| $^{50}$Co | 27 | 23 | 49.98112(14) | 38.8(2) ms | β$^+$, p (70.5%) | $^{49}$Mn | (6+) | |
| $^{50}$Co | 27 | 23 | 49.98112(14) | 38.8(2) ms | β$^+$ (29.5%) | $^{50}$Fe | (6+) | |
| $^{50}$Co | 27 | 23 | 49.98112(14) | 38.8(2) ms | β$^+$, 2p? | $^{48}$Cr | (6+) | |
| $^{51}$Co | 27 | 24 | 50.970647(52) | 68.8(19) ms | β$^+$ (96.2%) | $^{51}$Fe | 7/2− | |
| $^{51}$Co | 27 | 24 | 50.970647(52) | 68.8(19) ms | β$^+$, p (<3.8%) | $^{50}$Mn | 7/2− | |
| $^{52}$Co | 27 | 25 | 51.9631302(57) | 111.7(21) ms | β$^+$ | $^{52}$Fe | 6+ | |
| $^{52}$Co | 27 | 25 | 51.9631302(57) | 111.7(21) ms | β$^+$, p? | $^{51}$Mn | 6+ | |
| $^{52m}$Co | 376(9) keV | 376(9) keV | 376(9) keV | 102(5) ms | β$^+$ | $^{52}$Fe | 2+ | |
| $^{52m}$Co | 376(9) keV | 376(9) keV | 376(9) keV | 102(5) ms | IT? | $^{52}$Co | 2+ | |
| $^{52m}$Co | 376(9) keV | 376(9) keV | 376(9) keV | 102(5) ms | β$^+$, p? | $^{51}$Mn | 2+ | |
| $^{53}$Co | 27 | 26 | 52.9542033(19) | 244.6(28) ms | β$^+$ | $^{53}$Fe | 7/2−# | |
| $^{53m}$Co | 3174.3(9) keV | 3174.3(9) keV | 3174.3(9) keV | 250(10) ms | β$^+$? (~98.5%) | $^{53}$Fe | (19/2−) | |
| $^{53m}$Co | 3174.3(9) keV | 3174.3(9) keV | 3174.3(9) keV | 250(10) ms | p (~1.5%) | $^{52}$Fe | (19/2−) | |
| $^{54}$Co | 27 | 27 | 53.94845908(38) | 193.27(6) ms | β$^+$ | $^{54}$Fe | 0+ | |
| $^{54m}$Co | 197.57(10) keV | 197.57(10) keV | 197.57(10) keV | 1.48(2) min | β$^+$ | $^{54}$Fe | 7+ | |
| $^{55}$Co | 27 | 28 | 54.94199642(43) | 17.53(3) h | β$^+$ | $^{55}$Fe | 7/2− | |
| $^{56}$Co | 27 | 29 | 55.93983803(51) | 77.236(26) d | β$^+$ | $^{56}$Fe | 4+ | |
| $^{57}$Co | 27 | 30 | 56.93628982(55) | 271.811(32) d | EC | $^{57}$Fe | 7/2− | |
| $^{58}$Co | 27 | 31 | 57.9357513(12) | 70.844(20) d | EC (85.21%) | $^{58}$Fe | 2+ | |
| $^{58}$Co | 27 | 31 | 57.9357513(12) | 70.844(20) d | β$^+$ (14.79%) | $^{58}$Fe | 2+ | |
| $^{58m1}$Co | 24.95(6) keV | 24.95(6) keV | 24.95(6) keV | 8.853(23) h | IT | $^{58}$Co | 5+ | |
| $^{58m1}$Co | 24.95(6) keV | 24.95(6) keV | 24.95(6) keV | 8.853(23) h | EC (0.00120%) | $^{58}$Fe | 5+ | |
| $^{58m2}$Co | 53.15(7) keV | 53.15(7) keV | 53.15(7) keV | 10.5(3) μs | IT | $^{58}$Co | 4+ | |
| $^{59}$Co | 27 | 32 | 58.93319352(43) | Stable | Stable | Stable | 7/2− | 1.0000 |
| $^{60}$Co | 27 | 33 | 59.93381554(43) | 5.2714(6) y | β$^−$ | $^{60}$Ni | 5+ | |
| $^{60m}$Co | 58.59(1) keV | 58.59(1) keV | 58.59(1) keV | 10.467(6) min | IT (99.75%) | $^{60}$Co | 2+ | |
| $^{60m}$Co | 58.59(1) keV | 58.59(1) keV | 58.59(1) keV | 10.467(6) min | β$^−$ (0.25%) | $^{60}$Ni | 2+ | |
| $^{61}$Co | 27 | 34 | 60.93247603(90) | 1.649(5) h | β$^−$ | $^{61}$Ni | 7/2− | |
| $^{62}$Co | 27 | 35 | 61.934058(20) | 1.54(10) min | β$^−$ | $^{62}$Ni | (2)+ | |
| $^{62m}$Co | 22(5) keV | 22(5) keV | 22(5) keV | 13.86(9) min | β$^−$ (>99.5%) | $^{62}$Ni | (5)+ | |
| $^{62m}$Co | 22(5) keV | 22(5) keV | 22(5) keV | 13.86(9) min | IT (<0.5%) | $^{62}$Co | (5)+ | |
| $^{63}$Co | 27 | 36 | 62.933600(20) | 26.9(4) s | β$^−$ | $^{63}$Ni | 7/2− | |
| $^{64}$Co | 27 | 37 | 63.935810(21) | 300(30) ms | β$^−$ | $^{64}$Ni | 1+ | |
| $^{64m}$Co | 107(20) keV | 107(20) keV | 107(20) keV | 300# ms | β$^−$? | $^{64}$Ni | 5+# | |
| $^{64m}$Co | 107(20) keV | 107(20) keV | 107(20) keV | 300# ms | IT? | $^{64}$Co | 5+# | |
| $^{65}$Co | 27 | 38 | 64.9364621(22) | 1.16(3) s | β$^−$ | $^{65}$Ni | (7/2)− | |
| $^{66}$Co | 27 | 39 | 65.939443(15) | 194(17) ms | β$^−$ | $^{66}$Ni | (1+) | |
| $^{66}$Co | 27 | 39 | 65.939443(15) | 194(17) ms | β$^−$, n? | $^{65}$Ni | (1+) | |
| $^{66m1}$Co | 175.1(3) keV | 175.1(3) keV | 175.1(3) keV | 824(22) ns | IT | $^{66}$Co | (3+) | |
| $^{66m2}$Co | 642(5) keV | 642(5) keV | 642(5) keV | >100 μs | IT | $^{66}$Co | (8−) | |
| $^{67}$Co | 27 | 40 | 66.9406096(69) | 329(28) ms | β$^−$ | $^{67}$Ni | (7/2−) | |
| $^{67}$Co | 27 | 40 | 66.9406096(69) | 329(28) ms | β$^−$, n? | $^{66}$Ni | (7/2−) | |
| $^{67m}$Co | 491.55(11) keV | 491.55(11) keV | 491.55(11) keV | 496(33) ms | IT (>80%) | $^{67}$Co | (1/2−) | |
| $^{67m}$Co | 491.55(11) keV | 491.55(11) keV | 491.55(11) keV | 496(33) ms | β$^−$ | $^{67}$Ni | (1/2−) | |
| $^{68}$Co | 27 | 41 | 67.9445594(41) | 200(20) ms | β$^−$ | $^{68}$Ni | (7−) | |
| $^{68}$Co | 27 | 41 | 67.9445594(41) | 200(20) ms | β$^−$, n? | $^{67}$Ni | (7−) | |
| $^{68m1}$Co | 150(150)# keV | 150(150)# keV | 150(150)# keV | 1.6(3) s | β$^−$ | $^{68}$Ni | (2−) | |
| $^{68m1}$Co | 150(150)# keV | 150(150)# keV | 150(150)# keV | 1.6(3) s | β$^−$, n (>2.6%) | $^{67}$Ni | (2−) | |
| $^{68m2}$Co | 195(150)# keV | 195(150)# keV | 195(150)# keV | 101(10) ns | IT | $^{68}$Co | (1) | |
| $^{69}$Co | 27 | 42 | 68.945909(92) | 180(20) ms | β$^−$ | $^{69}$Ni | (7/2−) | |
| $^{69}$Co | 27 | 42 | 68.945909(92) | 180(20) ms | β$^−$, n? | $^{68}$Ni | (7/2−) | |
| $^{69m}$Co | 170(90) keV | 170(90) keV | 170(90) keV | 750(250) ms | β$^−$ | $^{69}$Ni | 1/2−# | |
| $^{70}$Co | 27 | 43 | 69.950053(12) | 508(7) ms | β$^−$ | $^{70}$Ni | (1+) | |
| $^{70}$Co | 27 | 43 | 69.950053(12) | 508(7) ms | β$^−$, n? | $^{69}$Ni | (1+) | |
| $^{70}$Co | 27 | 43 | 69.950053(12) | 508(7) ms | β$^−$, 2n? | $^{68}$Ni | (1+) | |
| $^{70m}$Co | 200(200)# keV | 200(200)# keV | 200(200)# keV | 112(7) ms | β$^−$ | $^{70}$Ni | (7−) | |
| $^{70m}$Co | 200(200)# keV | 200(200)# keV | 200(200)# keV | 112(7) ms | IT? | $^{70}$Co | (7−) | |
| $^{70m}$Co | 200(200)# keV | 200(200)# keV | 200(200)# keV | 112(7) ms | β$^−$, n? | $^{69}$Ni | (7−) | |
| $^{70m}$Co | 200(200)# keV | 200(200)# keV | 200(200)# keV | 112(7) ms | β$^−$, 2n? | $^{68}$Ni | (7−) | |
| $^{71}$Co | 27 | 44 | 70.95237(50) | 80(3) ms | β$^−$ (97%) | $^{71}$Ni | (7/2−) | |
| $^{71}$Co | 27 | 44 | 70.95237(50) | 80(3) ms | β$^−$, n (3%) | $^{70}$Ni | (7/2−) | |
| $^{72}$Co | 27 | 45 | 71.95674(32)# | 51.5(3) ms | β$^−$ (<96%) | $^{72}$Ni | (6−,7−) | |
| $^{72}$Co | 27 | 45 | 71.95674(32)# | 51.5(3) ms | β$^−$, n (>4%) | $^{71}$Ni | (6−,7−) | |
| $^{72}$Co | 27 | 45 | 71.95674(32)# | 51.5(3) ms | β$^−$, 2n? | $^{70}$Ni | (6−,7−) | |
| $^{72m}$Co | 200(200)# keV | 200(200)# keV | 200(200)# keV | 47.8(5) ms | β$^−$ | $^{72}$Ni | (0+,1+) | |
| $^{73}$Co | 27 | 46 | 72.95924(32)# | 42.0(8) ms | β$^−$ (94%) | $^{73}$Ni | (7/2−) | |
| $^{73}$Co | 27 | 46 | 72.95924(32)# | 42.0(8) ms | β$^−$, n (6%) | $^{72}$Ni | (7/2−) | |
| $^{73}$Co | 27 | 46 | 72.95924(32)# | 42.0(8) ms | β$^−$, 2n? | $^{71}$Ni | (7/2−) | |
| $^{74}$Co | 27 | 47 | 73.96399(43)# | 31.3(13) ms | β$^−$ (82%) | $^{74}$Ni | 7−# | |
| $^{74}$Co | 27 | 47 | 73.96399(43)# | 31.3(13) ms | β$^−$, n (18%) | $^{73}$Ni | 7−# | |
| $^{74}$Co | 27 | 47 | 73.96399(43)# | 31.3(13) ms | β$^−$, 2n? | $^{72}$Ni | 7−# | |
| $^{75}$Co | 27 | 48 | 74.96719(43)# | 26.5(12) ms | β$^−$ (>84%) | $^{75}$Ni | 7/2−# | |
| $^{75}$Co | 27 | 48 | 74.96719(43)# | 26.5(12) ms | β$^−$, n (<16%) | $^{74}$Ni | 7/2−# | |
| $^{75}$Co | 27 | 48 | 74.96719(43)# | 26.5(12) ms | β$^−$, 2n? | $^{73}$Ni | 7/2−# | |
| $^{76}$Co | 27 | 49 | 75.97245(54)# | 23(6) ms | β$^−$ | $^{76}$Ni | (8−) | |
| $^{76}$Co | 27 | 49 | 75.97245(54)# | 23(6) ms | β$^−$, n? | $^{75}$Ni | (8−) | |
| $^{76}$Co | 27 | 49 | 75.97245(54)# | 23(6) ms | β$^−$, 2n? | $^{74}$Ni | (8−) | |
| $^{76m1}$Co | 100(100)# keV | 100(100)# keV | 100(100)# keV | 16(4) ms | β$^−$ | $^{76}$Ni | (1−) | |
| $^{76m2}$Co | 740(100)# keV | 740(100)# keV | 740(100)# keV | 2.99(27) μs | IT | $^{76}$Co | (3+) | |
| $^{77}$Co | 27 | 50 | 76.97648(64)# | 15(6) ms | β$^−$ | $^{77}$Ni | 7/2−# | |
| $^{77}$Co | 27 | 50 | 76.97648(64)# | 15(6) ms | β$^−$, n? | $^{76}$Ni | 7/2−# | |
| $^{77}$Co | 27 | 50 | 76.97648(64)# | 15(6) ms | β$^−$, 2n? | $^{75}$Ni | 7/2−# | |
| $^{77}$Co | 27 | 50 | 76.97648(64)# | 15(6) ms | β$^−$, 3n? | $^{74}$Ni | 7/2−# | |
| $^{78}$Co | 27 | 51 | 77.983 55(75)# | 11# ms [>410 ns] | β$^−$? | $^{78}$Ni | | |
| This table header & footer: view |||||||||
* ↑ $^m$Co – Excited nuclear isomer.
* ↑ ( ) – Uncertainty (1σ) is given in concise form in parentheses after the corresponding last digits.
* ↑ # – Atomic mass marked #: value and uncertainty derived not from purely experimental data, but at least partly from trends from the Mass Surface (TMS).
* 1 2 3 # – Values marked # are not purely derived from experimental data, but at least partly from trends of neighboring nuclides (TNN).
* ↑ Modes of decay: EC:Electron capture IT:Isomeric transition n:Neutron emission p:Proton emission
* ↑ Bold symbol as daughter – Daughter product is stable.
* ↑ ( ) spin value – Indicates spin with weak assignment arguments.
* 1 2 3 4 5 Order of ground state and isomer is uncertain.

## Stellar nucleosynthesis of cobalt-56

One of the terminal nuclear reactions in stars prior to supernova produces $^{56}$Ni. Following its production, $^{56}$Ni decays to $^{56}$Co, and then $^{56}$Co subsequently decays to $^{56}$Fe. These decay reactions power the luminosity displayed in light decay curves. Both the light decay and radioactive decay curves are expected to be exponential. Therefore, the light decay curve should give an indication of the nuclear reactions powering it. This has been confirmed by observation of bolometric light decay curves for SN 1987A. Between 600 and 800 days after SN1987A occurred, the bolometric light curve decreased at an exponential rate with half-life values from τ$_{1/2}$ = 68.6 days to τ$_{1/2}$ = 69.6 days. The rate at which the luminosity decreased closely matched the exponential decay of $^{56}$Co with a half-life of τ$_{1/2}$ = 77.233 days.

## Use of cobalt radioisotopes in medicine

Cobalt-57 ($^{57}$Co or Co-57) is used in medical tests; it is used as a radiolabel for vitamin B$_{12}$ uptake. It is useful for the Schilling test.
Cobalt-60 ($^{60}$Co or Co-60) is used in radiotherapy. It produces two gamma rays with energies of 1.17 MeV and 1.33 MeV. The $^{60}$Co source is about 2 cm in diameter and as a result produces a geometric penumbra, making the edge of the radiation field fuzzy. The metal has the unfortunate habit of producing fine dust, causing problems with radiation protection. The $^{60}$Co source is useful for about 5 years but even after this point is still very radioactive, and so cobalt machines have fallen from favor in the Western world where Linacs are common.

## Industrial uses for radioactive isotopes

Cobalt-60 ($^{60}$Co) is useful as a gamma ray source because it can be produced in predictable quantities, and for its high radioactivity simply by exposing natural cobalt to neutrons in a reactor. The uses for industrial cobalt include:
* Sterilization of medical supplies and medical waste
* Radiation treatment of foods for sterilization (cold pasteurization)
* Industrial radiography (e.g., weld integrity radiographs)
* Density measurements (e.g., concrete density measurements)
* Tank fill height switches
$^{57}$Co is used as a source in Mössbauer spectroscopy of iron-containing samples. Electron capture by $^{57}$Co forms an excited state of the $^{57}$Fe nucleus, which in turn decays to the ground state with the emission of a gamma ray. Measurement of the gamma-ray spectrum provides information about the chemical state of the iron atom in the sample.