Tracer packet: A new conception for the production of tracers

The concept of tracer packet, which can be defined as a group of carrier-free radioactive isotopes of few elements, which have been produced together with an objective to study some particular physical, chemical or biological systems has been introduced in this paper. The tracer packet can be produced with low projectile energy (5-7 MeV/u) contrary to the multitracer technique. A thick cobalt foil has been irradiated consecutively with ¹⁶O, ⁷Li and ¹²C beams to produce the tracer packet containing carrier free radiotracers of Mn, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, As and Se which after removal of bulk cobalt can be used for further studies of essential micro nutrient elements.