Cf
Californium
Z = 98 · Actinide · 251.0 u
Nuclear Engineering Significance
Cf-252 (t₁/₂ = 2.645 y) undergoes spontaneous fission and is the most widely used portable neutron source. Applications include reactor startup sources, neutron radiography, and spent fuel assay. Produced by prolonged neutron irradiation of curium targets in high-flux reactors.
Basic properties
- Atomic number (Z)
- 98
- Standard atomic mass
- 251.0 u
- Category
- Actinide
Isotopes & cross-section data
No nuclide data for this element in the reference database.
The NRDP database focuses on nuclides relevant to reactor physics (fuels, moderators, structural materials, fission products, etc.). For full isotope data, see NNDC NuDat 3 or IAEA Nuclear Data Services.