Editing Neptunium (section)

===Precursor in plutonium-238 production===
{{Main article|Plutonium-238}}
An important use of <sup>237</sup>Np is as a precursor in [[plutonium-238]] production, where it is irradiated with neutrons to form [[Plutonium-238|<sup>238</sup>Pu]], an [[alpha emitter]] for [[radioisotope thermal generator]]s for spacecraft and military applications. <sup>237</sup>Np will capture a neutron to form <sup>238</sup>Np and [[beta decay]] with a half-life of just over two days to <sup>238</sup>Pu.<ref>{{cite journal|doi = 10.1016/j.enconman.2007.10.028|pages = 393–401|title = Review of recent advances of radioisotope power systems|date = 2008|author = Lange, R|journal = Energy Conversion and Management|volume = 49|last2 = Carroll|first2 = W.|issue = 3| bibcode=2008ECM....49..393L |url = https://zenodo.org/record/1258917}}</ref>

:<chem>^{237}_{93}Np + ^{1}_{0}n -> ^{238}_{93}Np ->[\beta^-][2.117 \ \ce{d}] ^{238}_{94}Pu</chem>

<sup>238</sup>Pu also exists in sizable quantities in [[spent nuclear fuel]] but would have to be separated from other [[isotopes of plutonium]].<ref name="Yoshida703">Yoshida et al., pp. 702–3.</ref> Irradiating neptunium-237 with electron beams, provoking [[bremsstrahlung]], also produces quite pure samples of the isotope [[plutonium-236]], useful as a tracer to determine plutonium concentration in the environment.<ref name="Yoshida703" />