Cf249

Californium-249 (Cf-249) is a radioactive isotope of the element californium (atomic number 98) with a mass number of 249. It is not found in nature and is produced synthetically in nuclear reactors or particle accelerators.

Production of Cf-249 occurs in specialized facilities through neutron irradiation of heavier actinide targets, such as curium or plutonium, followed by chemical separation to isolate the californium isotopes. It can appear as a minor product in decay chains involving heavier actinides under sustained neutron flux.

Decay and properties: The isotope decays primarily by alpha emission to produce curium-245 (Cm-245). It has a relatively long half-life compared with many radionuclides, on the order of years, which reflects its status among heavy actinide isotopes.

Applications and safety: Cf-249 is mainly of interest for research in nuclear physics and actinide chemistry, including studies of production pathways for heavier elements. It is not widely used for practical applications. As a highly radiotoxic material, Cf-249 requires specialized handling, remote-operated equipment, and appropriate shielding in licensed facilities.

See also: Californium, Californium isotopes.