[gippgig]

A recent paper (Physical Review C 79 027605) reported the production of ²⁶⁶Mt (the original Mt isotope) using the ²⁰⁸Pb(⁵⁹Co,n) reaction. The cross section was found to be about the same as the previously used ²⁰⁹Bi(⁵⁸Fe,n) reaction. It is interesting to note that it would be at least theoretically possible to make your own Mt since natural lead is over half ²⁰⁸Pb & cobalt is 100% ⁵⁹Co (while the previous reaction required enriched ⁵⁸Fe, which is only .28% of natural iron).