Poloonium

Poloonium is a fictional chemical element described in speculative science fiction. It is a synthetic superheavy metal with atomic number 164 and the symbol Pn. In the lore, it does not occur naturally and must be produced in advanced accelerators.

Discovery and naming often place Poloonium in the late 21st or 22nd century, arising from a multinational effort at a major research facility. It is reported to have been first synthesized through a heavy-ion fusion reaction between californium-249 and neon-22, with a handful of atoms identified by alpha spectroscopy and mass analysis. The element is named after the fictional world or planetoid Poloon, a common motif in its canonical origin stories.

Physical and chemical properties in the narrative describe Poloonium as a dense, silvery metal with high radiotoxicity. It is said to form a range of compounds, including fluorides and oxides, and to exhibit multiple oxidation states such as +3, +4, and +6. Relativistic effects predicted for superheavy elements are invoked to suggest complex bonding and unusual electronic behavior in certain environments, though concrete chemistry remains largely theoretical outside controlled experiments.

Isotopes and stability are treated as inherently radioactive in most canon sources. No stable isotope is known, and the longest-lived variants are depicted as having half-lives of minutes to hours, depending on the specific isotope. Production yields are extremely low, often limited to a few atoms per experiment, constraining practical study and application.

Applications and significance in the fiction include use as specialized catalysts for fusion systems, components in quantum materials, and potential energy storage technologies. Real-world practicality is hampered by scarcity, short half-lives, and stringent safety requirements.

Safety and regulation emphasize stringent shielding, remote handling, and international or interstellar oversight due to intense radiotoxicity and environmental hazards. See also: Polonium.