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Californium252

Californium-252 is a synthetic radioactive isotope of the actinide californium, with atomic number 98 and a mass number of 252. It has a half-life of about 2.65 years and decays primarily by alpha emission to curium-248, while a minority of decays occur via spontaneous fission.

A notable feature of californium-252 is its spontaneous fission, which releases prompt neutrons. The average number

Californium-252 is produced in nuclear reactors through irradiation of curium or plutonium targets, followed by chemical

Common uses of Cf-252 include serving as a portable neutron source for detector calibration, neutron radiography,

Safety and handling require specialized facilities and regulatory controls. As an alpha emitter, Cf-252 presents internal

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of
neutrons
produced
per
fission
is
approximately
3.7,
and
the
emitted
neutrons
have
energies
in
the
range
of
a
few
hundred
keV
to
a
few
MeV.
This
makes
Cf-252
a
practical
neutron
source
for
various
applications,
even
though
the
majority
of
its
decays
proceed
via
alpha
emission.
separation
and
processing
to
isolate
the
isotope.
It
is
typically
supplied
as
sealed
radioactive
sources
with
specified
activities
for
use
in
research
and
industry,
and
it
is
often
accompanied
by
safety
and
handling
documentation.
and
well
logging
in
the
oil
and
gas
industry,
as
well
as
in
neutron
activation
analysis
and
certain
laboratory
experiments.
Its
strong
neutron
emission
allows
measurements
to
be
made
without
an
external
neutron
generator.
radiotoxicity
hazards
if
ingested
or
inhaled.
Neutron
emission
also
necessitates
appropriate
shielding
and
distance
to
protect
personnel
and
equipment.
Sealed
sources
are
designed
to
minimize
leakage
and
are
subject
to
strict
regulatory
oversight.